How can I read system mail?

Question

Which packages need to be installed in order for system mail to be generated from for example a nightly rkhunter scan run by cron?

And, is there anything included by default or must I install a package? I notice that /usr/bin/mail is not installed by default. — Stefan Lasiewski, Dec 02 '11 at 05:15
Related: http://askubuntu.com/questions/2261/how-are-administrators-supposed-to-read-roots-mail — Mechanical snail, Nov 03 '12 at 05:03

score 14 · Answer 1 · answered Oct 18 '10 at 12:45

14

I use mutt (sudo apt-get install mutt) to read it from the command line on my local machine.

You can also forward the mail onto a "real" email address. I have three servers that all do their system error reporting to the root mailbox. I forward these all to my GMail account by editing /etc/aliases and adding:

webuser: root
root: oli@my-email-domain.com

Obviously you'll have a different setup but if you just want your user's email, stick your username in there with your real email address.

answered Oct 18 '10 at 12:45

Oli

293,335

1

What does the webuser: root part do? – Nick HS Oct 18 '10 at 12:51
I run my websites under a non-root user (for security). That bit forwards email from the webuser account to root. It just saves me typing out my email address twice. – Oli Oct 18 '10 at 12:52
1

+1 for aliases. I make liberal use of them when I setup a server (and to a lesser extent on my desktops). For my servers, I have things like webmaster, postmaster, root, etc. go to mailing lists (really more aliases) so that multiple people easily get the notices. – Don Faulkner Oct 18 '10 at 13:47

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 18 '10 at 12:52

0

You can create a local email account in Evolution. If the system mails are forwarded to your user you will be also notified about it.

answered Oct 18 '10 at 12:52

How can I read system mail?

2 Answers2