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Clear APT data

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Works with any Linux distroWorks with any Linux distribution that can run bash scripts.
  • Linux onlyThis script improves your privacy on Linux
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • Impact: Minimum

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Low

    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.

  • Bash (Shell script)These changes use Linux system commands to update your settings.
  • 4 scripts
  • No subcategories
  • Sudo/root requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • IrreversibleYou can restore parts of this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

Overview​

Advanced Package Tool (APT) is a free software user interface that works with core libraries to handle the installation and removal of software on Debian, and Debian-based Linux distributions 1.

See also: "APT | Debian Wiki".

Safe for General Use
This script has Normal protection level option. This is recommended for all users to improve without any noticeable impact on the system functionality.
Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Free
  • Open-source

Normal — Everyday Privacy (Enterprise-Grade)​

  • Recommended for all
  • Safe for daily use
  • No impact on system stability

Read more about Normal and other protection levels

Help

How to apply "Clear APT data" using script​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 6 instructions
  1. 1

    Choose protection

    Choose one of the options with different impact levels:

    • Normal

      Some safe changes minimal system impact.

    • Maximum

      Some impactful changes with high system impact.
  2. 2

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
  3. 3

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  4. 4

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  5. 5

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  6. 6

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply "Clear APT data" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the category name: Clear APT data
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.

    Applying Normal to limit the impact.

  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Explore This Guide​

  • 4 Privacy settings

Choose what to protect based on your needs:

Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Each change can be applied and reversed individually.

  • Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.
  • Most users find the Normal protection above sufficient.

Clear obsolete APT packages

This script runs the "autoclean" command which removes package files that can no longer be downloaded, and are largely useless. This allows a cache to be maintained over a long period without it growing out of control.

Clear APT package file lists

This script removes package file lists. APT stores a copy of those files (in "/var/lib/apt/lists/") and searches are done within those local files to avoid going through the network for every search. An "apt-get update" will repopulate the necessary information and recreate the list file. The list files should be recreated as they get lost over time.

Clear orphaned APT package dependencies

This script runs the "autoremove" command, which removes packages that were automatically installed to satisfy dependencies for other packages and are now no longer needed. This script also purges removed packages, which means that the configuration files of the removed packages are deleted too.

Clear cache for APT packages

This script runs the "clean" command. It clears out the local repository of retrieved package files, meaning that it deletes downloaded packages (".deb") already installed (and no longer needed). It clears the whole "/var/cache/apt/archives/" directory that contains a copy of each downloaded ".deb" file. It clears the cache but does not delete the lists.

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.

See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.

These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.

Package managers store caches, statistics, and logs that may reveal data on how you use the package managers and software downloaded from them, such as your choice...
Visit category page

Same Goal​

Other guides in Clear package manager data 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

Clear Snap data
Clear Flatpak data
Clear YUM/RPM data
Clear DNF/RPM data

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process