Are You Using Too Many Apps?
Ever thought you might be using too many apps? This is an actual thing, called App Fatigue and it can actually cause some security issues.
In today’s digital age, it seems like there’s an app for everything. From social media to productivity tools, the sheer number of apps available can be overwhelming. While having access to so many apps can be beneficial in some ways, it can also lead to a phenomenon known as “app fatigue.”
What is App Fatigue?
App fatigue is the overwhelming feeling that can result from having too many applications installed on a device and the constant notifications and updates that come with them.
Most of the time, with all these notifications, we tend to just mute them. However, sometimes, we completely forget about them, and this can cause some security issues.
Why is App Fatigue a Security Concern?
You Start Ignoring Updates
As you slowly start to mute notifications for all the apps you have installed, you won’t be notified when they need a crucial update or security update.
Missing a security update on an app can be crucial because it leaves your device vulnerable to security threats and compromises your personal information. App developers release security updates to fix bugs, patch security vulnerabilities, and protect their users’ data from potential cyberattacks, and if you’re not installing these updates, the chance of your device being attacked increases.
Reusing Passwords
Majority of the apps you use will require an account or a password in order to access it. Although this is a good thing, if you end up having 40+ apps that all require login details, you’ll never remember all the passwords, so you’ll start using the same password for everything.
Using the same password for multiple accounts isn’t good because if hackers crack just one of your passwords, they’ll try that same credential on each account you have, meaning, they won’t have access to just one app, but all of them and all the personal information that is stored in each.
What’s the solution for App Fatigue?
We know it might not be a simple task, going back in time to when you never had all these apps, but you can put a strategy in place that puts people in charge of their tech, instead of the other way around.
Streamline your applications
For both productivity and security reasons, the fewer apps you have, the better.
When it comes to a work point of view, look at the tools you are using and where redundancies can be made. Many companies are using two or more apps that pretty much serve the same purpose.
Using an umbrella platform such as Office 365 or Google Workspace is great as it gives you control of multiple apps, however, they can all be accessed through one single account.
Automate application updates
One of the best things you could do is set up automatic updates, especially for any security updates.
This takes the process out of the employees’ hands and enhances productivity as the updates are performed automatically.
Auto Updates eliminate the need to check on what the update is about and also mitigates the chance there will be a vulnerable app putting your network at risk.
Have your IT Team set up notifications
It can sometimes be difficult for people to know which notifications are the most important, and which ones shouldn’t be ignored.
If you have an IT team, ask them to set up your notifications. This ensures they don’t get spammed and overwhelmed by all the notifications from every app they own, yet they are still receiving the important ones.
Communicate about alerts
Employees may never turn off notifications because they might think they’re not supposed to, and might get in trouble if they do so. Many might not even realise there’s an issue with app fatigue.
Communication is the best way to solve this. Discuss how to use alerts and notifications efficiently and decided what and what doesn’t need to be turned off.
Are you feeling uncertain about your business’s technology plan?
Book an IT Strategy Call. We can assess your current setup and develop a comprehensive strategy that aligns with your goals.
Interested in what else our IT Support package includes?
There are many reasons that IT support with Reformed IT is a great choice for your business or organisation. If you choose Reformed IT for your IT support, you'll receive all these benefits including help from members of our experienced team when needed.
Unlimited IT Support
We provide fully inclusive, onsite and remote IT support. In addition to that, it won't cost you extra for an engineer to attend your site to resolve a technical issue.
Device Status Monitoring
When we take on your IT support, we deploy our monitoring agent onto all devices and servers. This alerts us to any issues which you may be unaware of.
Data Breach Monitoring
There are over 8 billion breached passwords and personal information available on the dark web. There's a possibility that some of this data relates to your employees. We'll monitor dark web activity and provide reports of breached passwords.
Cyber Essentials Certification
We ensure every one of our clients achieve their Cyber Essentials certification at no additional cost. We also help them towards Cyber Essentials Plus ensuring that everything is ready for assessment.
Office 365 Monitoring
We monitor your Microsoft 365 tenancy with our 24/7 security operations centre. If there is strange activity we'll find it immediately and alert you or resolve the issue straight away. Keeping your business secure.
Anti-Virus Software
Everyone wants to avoid computer viruses. We include anti-virus software as part of our IT support package to keep your devices safe and to save time when it comes to viruses.
Email Security
Over 90% of cyber attacks start with a phishing email. It's crucial that your business has the best defence against cyber criminals and scams when regarding your mailbox.
Backups for Office 365
We will ensure that all of your emails and files are backed up, at no extra cost. We recognise the importance of backups and disaster recovery so we feel it shouldn't be an added extra.
Managed Email Signatures
With our included Exclaimer signatures for Office 365 service, you can get more out of your email signatures instead of a simple message with no images.
Cyber Security Training
To keep you even safer from hackers, we provide globally recognised and market leading Cyber security training by PhishingTackle. This online training portal will provide your teams with guidance and information to reduce the risk of hackers and scams.
Asset and Warranty Tracking & Reporting
We provide you with a list of your current assets in the business by using our powerful remote management tools. This creates a monthly asset report so you can keep track of your hardware life cycles.
Reformed IT Academy
We'll provide your business with the best IT training and learning sources. With the Reformed IT Academy, you’ll be able to watch and complete over 700 courses to help grow your knowledge and skills.
Password Manager
Password managers make storing and creating passwords much easier and safer. Keeper password manager also auto-fills passwords making the sign in proccess much quicker.
Cyber Threat Monitoring
With Huntress, you'll have an extra layer of security to help keep hackers out of your business. You'll be able to Monitor cyber attacks and malicious activity.
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