Question 1

How to install osquery on Ubuntu?

Accepted Answer

Visit the official downloads page for pre-built DEB packages or add the osquery repository; the documentation provides step-by-step instructions for setup and configuration on Linux distributions.

Question 2

osquery vs WMI for Windows monitoring?

Accepted Answer

osquery offers a cross-platform SQL interface that abstracts OS details, while WMI is Windows-specific and more low-level; osquery simplifies queries but may have less coverage for niche Windows features compared to native tools.

Question 3

Can osquery detect malware in real-time?

Accepted Answer

It can identify suspicious processes or file changes via scheduled queries, but its poll-based nature means it's not ideal for instantaneous detection; pair it with event-driven tools for real-time threats.

Question 4

How to create custom tables in osquery?

Accepted Answer

Use the extensions API to write plugins in C++ or other supported languages; the documentation guides you through defining table schemas and integrating them with the osquery runtime.

Question 5

What's the performance impact of running osquery on a server?

Accepted Answer

It adds overhead from SQL queries and data collection, which can affect resource-constrained systems; optimize by limiting query frequency and selecting specific columns instead of using SELECT *.

Question 6

Is osquery good for compliance auditing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, its scheduled queries can automate checks for standards like CIS benchmarks across fleets, but you may need additional tools for reporting and visualization beyond the raw SQL output.

osquery

What is osquery?

Overview

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Pros & Cons

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Frequently Asked Questions