Clear system crash report files

Overview

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Linux.

These changes use Linux system commands to update your settings.

The /var/crash directory holds system crash dumps according to Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS) 1.

You may get reports on a system's boot when crash report files exist. When the /var/crash directory contains files, Apport will display notifications 2. This directory is then cleaned up by Apport using /etc/cron.daily/apport job 6. Read more: "Apport | Ubuntu Wiki".

The folder typically contains kernel crash dumps 3, but it can be used by other applications as well. E.g., the Debian package corekeeper stores user-space coredumps in subfolders of /var/crash 4. Some systems, such as Ubuntu also put userspace crashes in this folder 5.

When using systemd to start services or processes, the crash logs are stored in the /var/lib/systemd/coredump/ directory 7.

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 system and kernel usage data

This action belongs to Clear system and kernel usage data category. Your system (operating system along with other software on it) and kernel store data that may reveal your behavior and can be considered sensitive. These scripts clean up the data that could potentially expose your user data. 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 system crash report files.
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

sudo rm -rfv /var/crash/*
sudo rm -rfv /var/lib/systemd/coredump/

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

Some scripts requires restarting your computer to take affect.

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