Clear Firefox browsing history (URLs, downloads, bookmarks, visits, etc.)

Overview

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Linux.

These changes use Linux system commands to update your settings.

This script targets the Firefox browsing history, including URLs, downloads, bookmarks, and site visits, by deleting specific database entries.

Firefox stores various user data in a file named places.sqlite. This file includes:

• Annotations, bookmarks, and favorite icons (moz_anno_attributes, moz_annos, moz_favicons) 1
• Browsing history, a record of pages visited (moz_places, moz_historyvisits) 1
• Keywords and typed URLs (moz_keywords, moz_inputhistory) 1
• Item annotations (moz_items_annos) 1
• Bookmark roots such as places, menu, toolbar, tags, unfiled (moz_bookmarks_roots) 1

The moz_places table holds URL data, connecting to various other tables like moz_annos, moz_bookmarks, moz_inputhistory, and moz_historyvisits 2. Due to these connections, the script removes entries from all relevant tables simultaneously to maintain database integrity.

Bookmarks: Stored across several tables (moz_bookmarks, moz_bookmarks_folders, moz_bookmarks_roots) 3, with additional undocumented tables like moz_bookmarks_deleted 4.

Downloads: Stored in the 'places.sqlite' database, within the 'moz_annos' table 5. The entries in moz_annos are linked to moz_places that store the actual history entry (moz_places.id = moz_annos.place_id) 6. Associated URL information is stored within the 'moz_places' table 5. Downloads have been historically stored in downloads.rdf for Firefox 2.x and below 7, and downloads.sqlite later on 7.

Favicons: Older Firefox versions stored favicons in places.sqlite within the moz_favicons table 5, while newer versions use favicons.sqlite and the moz_icons table 5.

By executing this script, users can ensure their Firefox browsing history, bookmarks, and downloads are thoroughly removed, contributing to a cleaner and more private browsing experience.

This script uses Bash (Shell script) scripting language.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users. This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Implementation Details

• Language: bash

• Required Privileges: Root/sudo access

• Compatibility: Linux only

• Reversibility: Some changes may be permanent

Explore Categories

Clear Firefox history

This action belongs to Clear Firefox history category. This category encompasses a series of scripts aimed at helping users manage and delete their browsing history and related data in Mozilla Firefox. The scripts are designed to target different aspects of user data stored by Firefox, providing users options for maintaining privacy and freeing up... Read more on category page ▶

Clear browser history

This action belongs to Clear browser history category. A web browser (commonly just called a browser) is software that is used to visit websites. The browsing history, cache entries, and other potentially sensitive data are all stored by browsers. Read more on category page ▶

Privacy cleanup

This action belongs to Privacy cleanup category. These scripts allow you to increase privacy by deleting collected data about you and your behavior. 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

privacy.sexy instructions

1. Open or download the desktop application
2. Search for the script name: Clear Firefox browsing history (URLs, downloads, bookmarks, visits, etc.).
3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download

Reversible

This script is reversible, you can restore your changes to the initial/default state. The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

If something goes wrong, use the Revert script provided above.

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

   Download script

2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

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

# Delete files matching pattern: "~/.mozilla/firefox/*/downloads.rdf"
if ! command -v 'python3' &> /dev/null; then
  echo 'Skipping because "python3" is not found.'
else
  python3 <<EOF
import glob
import os
path = '~/.mozilla/firefox/*/downloads.rdf'
expanded_path = os.path.expandvars(os.path.expanduser(path))
print(f'Deleting files matching pattern: {expanded_path}')
paths = glob.glob(expanded_path)
if not paths:
  print('Skipping, no paths found.')
for path in paths:
  if not os.path.isfile(path):
    print(f'Skipping folder: "{path}".')
    continue
  os.remove(path)
  print(f'Successfully delete file: "{path}".')
print(f'Successfully deleted {len(paths)} file(s).')
EOF
fi
# Delete files matching pattern: "~/.var/app/org.mozilla.firefox/.mozilla/firefox/*/downloads.rdf"
if ! command -v 'python3' &> /dev/null; then
  echo 'Skipping because "python3" is not found.'
else
  python3 <<EOF
import glob
import os
path = '~/.var/app/org.mozilla.firefox/.mozilla/firefox/*/downloads.rdf'
expanded_path = os.path.expandvars(os.path.expanduser(path))
print(f'Deleting files matching pattern: {expanded_path}')
paths = glob.glob(expanded_path)
if not paths:
  print('Skipping, no paths found.')
for path in paths:
  if not os.path.isfile(path):
    print(f'Skipping folder: "{path}".')
    continue
  os.remove(path)
  print(f'Successfully delete file: "{path}".')
print(f'Successfully deleted {len(paths)} file(s).')
EOF
fi
# Delete files matching pattern: "~/snap/firefox/common/.mozilla/firefox/*/downloads.rdf"
if ! command -v 'python3' &> /dev/null; then
  echo 'Skipping because "python3" is not found.'
else
  python3 <<EOF
import glob
import os
path = '~/snap/firefox/common/.mozilla/firefox/*/downloads.rdf'
expanded_path = os.path.expandvars(os.path.expanduser(path))
print(f'Deleting files matching pattern: {expanded_path}')
paths = glob.glob(expanded_path)
if not paths:
  print('Skipping, no paths found.')
for path in paths:
  if not os.path.isfile(path):
    print(f'Skipping folder: "{path}".')
    continue
  os.remove(path)
  print(f'Successfully delete file: "{path}".')
print(f'Successfully deleted {len(paths)} file(s).')
EOF
fi
# Delete files matching pattern: "~/.mozilla/firefox/*/downloads.sqlite"
if ! command -v 'python3' &> /dev/null; then
  echo 'Skipping because "python3" is not found.'
else
  python3 <<EOF
import glob
import os
path = '~/.mozilla/firefox/*/downloads.sqlite'
expanded_path = os.path.expandvars(os.path.expanduser(path))
print(f'Deleting files matching pattern: {expanded_path}')
paths = glob.glob(expanded_path)
if not paths:
  print('Skipping, no paths found.')
for path in paths:
  if not os.path.isfile(path):
    print(f'Skipping folder: "{path}".')
    continue
  os.remove(path)
  print(f'Successfully delete file: "{path}".')
print(f'Successfully deleted {len(paths)} file(s).')
EOF
fi
# Delete files matching pattern: "~/.var/app/org.mozilla.firefox/.mozilla/firefox/*/downloads.sqlite"
if ! command -v 'python3' &> /dev/null; then
  echo 'Skipping because "python3" is not found.'
else
  python3 <<EOF
import glob
import os
path = '~/.var/app/org.mozilla.firefox/.mozilla/firefox/*/downloads.sqlite'
expanded_path = os.path.expandvars(os.path.expanduser(path))
print(f'Deleting files matching pattern: {expanded_path}')
paths = glob.glob(expanded_path)
if not paths:
  print('Skipping, no paths found.')
for path in paths:
  if not os.path.isfile(path):
    print(f'Skipping folder: "{path}".')
    continue
  os.remove(path)
  print(f'Successfully delete file: "{path}".')
print(f'Successfully deleted {len(paths)} file(s).')
EOF
fi
# Delete files matching pattern: "~/snap/firefox/common/.mozilla/firefox/*/downloads.sqlite"
if ! command -v 'python3' &> /dev/null; then
  echo 'Skipping because "python3" is not found.'
else
  python3 <<EOF
import glob
import os
path = '~/snap/firefox/common/.mozilla/firefox/*/downloads.sqlite'
expanded_path = os.path.expandvars(os.path.expanduser(path))
print(f'Deleting files matching pattern: {expanded_path}')
paths = glob.glob(expanded_path)
if not paths:
  print('Skipping, no paths found.')
for path in paths:
  if not os.path.isfile(path):
    print(f'Skipping folder: "{path}".')
    continue
  os.remove(path)
  print(f'Successfully delete file: "{path}".')
print(f'Successfully deleted {len(paths)} file(s).')
EOF
fi
# Delete files matching pattern: "~/.mozilla/firefox/*/places.sqlite"
if ! command -v 'python3' &> /dev/null; then
  echo 'Skipping because "python3" is not found.'
else
  python3 <<EOF
import glob
import os
path = '~/.mozilla/firefox/*/places.sqlite'
expanded_path = os.path.expandvars(os.path.expanduser(path))
print(f'Deleting files matching pattern: {expanded_path}')
paths = glob.glob(expanded_path)
if not paths:
  print('Skipping, no paths found.')
for path in paths:
  if not os.path.isfile(path):
    print(f'Skipping folder: "{path}".')
    continue
  os.remove(path)
  print(f'Successfully delete file: "{path}".')
print(f'Successfully deleted {len(paths)} file(s).')
EOF
fi
# Delete files matching pattern: "~/.var/app/org.mozilla.firefox/.mozilla/firefox/*/places.sqlite"
if ! command -v 'python3' &> /dev/null; then
  echo 'Skipping because "python3" is not found.'
else
  python3 <<EOF
import glob
import os
path = '~/.var/app/org.mozilla.firefox/.mozilla/firefox/*/places.sqlite'
expanded_path = os.path.expandvars(os.path.expanduser(path))
print(f'Deleting files matching pattern: {expanded_path}')
paths = glob.glob(expanded_path)
if not paths:
  print('Skipping, no paths found.')
for path in paths:
  if not os.path.isfile(path):
    print(f'Skipping folder: "{path}".')
    continue
  os.remove(path)
  print(f'Successfully delete file: "{path}".')
print(f'Successfully deleted {len(paths)} file(s).')
EOF
fi
# Delete files matching pattern: "~/snap/firefox/common/.mozilla/firefox/*/places.sqlite"
if ! command -v 'python3' &> /dev/null; then
  echo 'Skipping because "python3" is not found.'
else
  python3 <<EOF
import glob
import os
path = '~/snap/firefox/common/.mozilla/firefox/*/places.sqlite'
expanded_path = os.path.expandvars(os.path.expanduser(path))
print(f'Deleting files matching pattern: {expanded_path}')
paths = glob.glob(expanded_path)
if not paths:
  print('Skipping, no paths found.')
for path in paths:
  if not os.path.isfile(path):
    print(f'Skipping folder: "{path}".')
    continue
  os.remove(path)
  print(f'Successfully delete file: "{path}".')
print(f'Successfully deleted {len(paths)} file(s).')
EOF
fi
# Delete files matching pattern: "~/.mozilla/firefox/*/favicons.sqlite"
if ! command -v 'python3' &> /dev/null; then
  echo 'Skipping because "python3" is not found.'
else
  python3 <<EOF
import glob
import os
path = '~/.mozilla/firefox/*/favicons.sqlite'
expanded_path = os.path.expandvars(os.path.expanduser(path))
print(f'Deleting files matching pattern: {expanded_path}')
paths = glob.glob(expanded_path)
if not paths:
  print('Skipping, no paths found.')
for path in paths:
  if not os.path.isfile(path):
    print(f'Skipping folder: "{path}".')
    continue
  os.remove(path)
  print(f'Successfully delete file: "{path}".')
print(f'Successfully deleted {len(paths)} file(s).')
EOF
fi
# Delete files matching pattern: "~/.var/app/org.mozilla.firefox/.mozilla/firefox/*/favicons.sqlite"
if ! command -v 'python3' &> /dev/null; then
  echo 'Skipping because "python3" is not found.'
else
  python3 <<EOF
import glob
import os
path = '~/.var/app/org.mozilla.firefox/.mozilla/firefox/*/favicons.sqlite'
expanded_path = os.path.expandvars(os.path.expanduser(path))
print(f'Deleting files matching pattern: {expanded_path}')
paths = glob.glob(expanded_path)
if not paths:
  print('Skipping, no paths found.')
for path in paths:
  if not os.path.isfile(path):
    print(f'Skipping folder: "{path}".')
    continue
  os.remove(path)
  print(f'Successfully delete file: "{path}".')
print(f'Successfully deleted {len(paths)} file(s).')
EOF
fi
# Delete files matching pattern: "~/snap/firefox/common/.mozilla/firefox/*/favicons.sqlite"
if ! command -v 'python3' &> /dev/null; then
  echo 'Skipping because "python3" is not found.'
else
  python3 <<EOF
import glob
import os
path = '~/snap/firefox/common/.mozilla/firefox/*/favicons.sqlite'
expanded_path = os.path.expandvars(os.path.expanduser(path))
print(f'Deleting files matching pattern: {expanded_path}')
paths = glob.glob(expanded_path)
if not paths:
  print('Skipping, no paths found.')
for path in paths:
  if not os.path.isfile(path):
    print(f'Skipping folder: "{path}".')
    continue
  os.remove(path)
  print(f'Successfully delete file: "{path}".')
print(f'Successfully deleted {len(paths)} file(s).')
EOF
fi

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

Some scripts requires restarting your computer to take affect.

Support

This website relies on your support.

Support now

Your donation helps keep the project alive and improves its content ❤️.

Share this page:

EmailLinkedInXRedditFacebookPinterestWhatsAppTelegramWeiboVK