Remove daily cron entry for Popularity Contest (popcon)

Overview

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Linux.

These changes use Linux system commands to update your settings.

Normally, popularity-contest is run from a cron job, /etc/cron.daily/popularity-contest 1. This job automatically submits the results to package maintainers once a week 1.

This script disables the cronjob, thus the automatic submission, but manually running popularity-contest would still send data.

This script uses Bash (Shell script) scripting language.

Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand its implications. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

Implementation Details

• Language: bash

• Required Privileges: Root/sudo access

• Compatibility: Linux only

• Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories

Disable sending of package statistics (popcon)

This action belongs to Disable sending of package statistics (popcon) category. Popularity Contest (or popcon) collects statistical data to determine which packages are the most popular. It sends a list of packages installed and the access and change times of relevant files to the server via email in different distros such as Debian and Ubuntu. popularity-contest package... Read more on category page ▶

Disable Debian telemetry

This action belongs to Disable Debian telemetry category. Debian, also known as Debian GNU/Linux, is a Linux distribution composed of free and open-source software, developed by the community-supported Debian Project. Debian-based distributions include Ubuntu, Kali Linux, MX Linux, Pardus, Parrot OS, PureOS, Raspberry Pi OS, TAILS, and others. Debian... Read more on category page ▶

Disable OS data collection

This action belongs to Disable OS data collection category. All operating systems collect data. This is part of their work. Sometimes, this data has high privacy implications, especially when it is submitted to third parties. Some Linux distributions come with out-of-the-box data collection and submission. Most of the time, this data collection is... Read more on category page ▶

Apply now

Choose one of three ways to apply:

1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions

1. Open or download the desktop application
2. Search for the script name: Remove daily cron entry for Popularity Contest (popcon).
3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

   Download script

2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

1. Open Terminal

2. Copy the following code:

Code to apply changes

job_name='popularity-contest'
cronjob_path="/etc/cron.daily/$job_name"
if [[ -f "$cronjob_path" ]]; then
  if [[ -x "$cronjob_path" ]]; then
    sudo chmod -x "$cronjob_path"
    echo "Successfully disabled cronjob \"$job_name\"."
  else
    echo "Skipping, cronjob \"$job_name\" is already disabled."
  fi
else
  echo "Skipping, \"$job_name\" cronjob is not found."
fi

3. Paste the code into terminal.
4. Press Enter to apply the code.

Some scripts requires restarting your computer to take affect.

Copy restore code

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code

cronjob_path="/etc/cron.daily/$job_name"
if [[ -f "$cronjob_path" ]]; then
  if [[ -x "$cronjob_path" ]]; then
    echo "Skipping, cronjob \"$job_name\" is already enabled."
  else
    sudo chmod +x "$cronjob_path"
    echo "Successfully enabled cronjob \"$job_name\"."
  fi
else
  >&2 echo "Failed to enable cronjob \"$job_name\" because it's missing."
fi

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