---
name: "libressl-OPENSSL_cleanse"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "libressl"
version: "4.4.0-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/libressl-OPENSSL_cleanse"
---

# libressl-OPENSSL\_cleanse(3)

OpenSSL memory cleaning operation

## NAME

**OPENSSL\_cleanse** – OpenSSL memory cleaning operation

## SYNOPSIS

Crypto Library (libcrypto, -lcrypto)

**#include \<openssl/crypto.h\>**

*void*\

**OPENSSL\_cleanse**(*void \*ptr*, *size\_t len*);

## DESCRIPTION

Do not use the interface documented here. It is provided purely for compatibility with legacy application code.

**OPENSSL\_cleanse**() has the same semantics as, and is a wrapper around, [explicit\_bzero(3)](/explicit_bzero/3.md).

## SEE ALSO

[crypto(3)](/crypto/3.md)

## HISTORY

**OPENSSL\_cleanse**() first appeared in OpenSSL 0.9.6h and has been available since OpenBSD 3.4.