W: Failed to fetch 403 Forbidden error when running the command apt-get update

Question

I was handed a laptop from a user who had been travelling in the Oceania region and attempted to run the command apt-get update however was returned the message

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise/main/source/Sources  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise/restricted/source/Sources  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise/universe/source/Sources  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise/multiverse/source/Sources  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise/main/binary-i386/Packages  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise/restricted/binary-i386/Packages  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise/universe/binary-i386/Packages  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise/multiverse/binary-i386/Packages  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise-updates/main/source/Sources  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise-updates/restricted/source/Sources  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise-updates/universe/source/Sources  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise-updates/multiverse/source/Sources  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise-updates/main/binary-i386/Packages  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise-updates/restricted/binary-i386/Packages  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise-updates/universe/binary-i386/Packages  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise-updates/multiverse/binary-i386/Packages  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise-backports/main/source/Sources  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise-backports/restricted/source/Sources  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise-backports/universe/source/Sources  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise-backports/multiverse/source/Sources  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise-backports/main/binary-i386/Packages  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise-backports/restricted/binary-i386/Packages  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise-backports/universe/binary-i386/Packages  403  Forbidden

W: Failed to fetch http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/precise-backports/multiverse/binary-i386/Packages  403  Forbidden

E: Some index files failed to download. They have been ignored, or old ones used instead.

I ran the command with a direct connection to the Internet and did not go through any proxy. When I attempt to visit the URL I get a "Forbidden" error. I had no issue with it a few days ago. The only way I was able to resolve the issue was to change for example the URL http://nz.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise main restricted to http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise main restricted in the sources.list file.

Why would I be suddenly be getting such an error?

The laptop is running Ubuntu 12.04 LTS

Solution

You are getting this error due to server. Something has changed in that server and now it offers "packages" files only as "packages.gz" and "packages.bz2". It is completely not your fault.
However, I would suggest reverting to other country's server instead of the main archive.ubuntu.com, which is throttled and will not allow to experience full speed.

Comments

[vaibhav shanker]

For me, apt-get update fixed it.

[PeanutsMonkey]

Which mirrors would you recommend?

[PeanutsMonkey]

Is this common? Does this happen? Do Ubuntu generally advise before making such changes? Where would I be able to find such information?