010-160 The Linux Operating System Practice Question
A system administrator is checking for hardware errors in the logs. Where are general system messages usually stored?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
/var/log/syslog
The /var/log/messages or /var/log/syslog file is the primary repository for system-wide logs.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
/etc/log/
Why it's wrong here
Logs are stored in /var/log, not /etc.
- ✓
/var/log/syslog
Why this is correct
/var/log/syslog contains general system messages.
- ✗
/proc/logs
Why it's wrong here
/proc is a virtual filesystem for process information.
- ✗
/tmp/logs
Why it's wrong here
/tmp is for temporary files and is not a standard log location.
About these practice questions
One of 190 original 010-160 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official LPI exam blueprint
This 010-160 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 010-160 exam.