7 Issues with Cybersecurity & Productivity Caused by App Fatigue

Presently, apps have become an essential part of our daily lives. If you need proof, check how many things you need to do daily with an app on your mobile device. Everything from socializing to banking to shopping is dependent on these things. It is even becoming a fixture in our businesses, too; invoicing, recording, and even security purposes. 

A study by Harmon.io, revealed that the majority of 881 business professionals surveyed worldwide use an average of 9.4 apps for their work. For IT professionals, this average goes up to 10.4. App developers are also not helping; Google Play Store accepts about 3,739 apps daily!

That highlights a novel problem, however. Slowly but surely, the number of apps one needs to use to achieve their purposes is increasing, but one can use only so many during work hours. That is leading many to suffer from a phenomenon known as app fatigue. 

Read on to learn more about app fatigue and the productivity and cybersecurity issues that come with it. 

What Is App Fatigue?

App fatigue happens/occurs when electronic device users (phones, laptops, tablets, etc.) get overwhelmed with the constant use of apps at a time. That also deals with the numerous app options available to a user to undertake a single task. That can lead to lessened productivity and an increased risk of getting breached by hackers. Users tend to forget to update important app updates and security alerts due to the number of apps available. 

The next session discusses the cybersecurity and productivity issues arising from app fatigue. 

Cybersecurity Issues Arising From App Fatigue 

Here are some cybersecurity issues caused by app fatigue:

Downloading Apps From Unreliable Sources

Due to having numerous apps (which is the leading cause of app fatigue), users get complacent while downloading and using some apps. Downloading apps without checking for potential risks or doing the required research can be dangerous. It can lead to users downloading some apps, most of which are created with malicious intent. 

Using Login Credentials

Using too many apps at once directly affects cybersecurity, and here’s how.  

Many apps and platforms require you to enter login details like usernames, emails, and passwords. It can be tedious for humans to repeatedly input emails and passwords, which leads to many using the exact login details for numerous logins. That is a boon for malicious actors, who usually use the login details they have illicitly gotten to access other user platforms.  

Not Being Aware of App Permissions

It is not a good idea to ignore app permissions, which most people do. Ignoring the permissions will make you grant access to some apps, which will allow access to your data and put your private information out there. 

Outdated Apps

App fatigue usually allows users not to keep track of app updates for all the apps on their devices. That leads to numerous outdated apps, which is one surefire way to get easily hacked. 

Phishing Scams

App fatigue also causes people to be more vulnerable to phishing scams. How? By not paying attention to the apps they use for certain tasks or the popups that require urgent attention. For example, you might receive a phishing email you are not supposed to click. Because of app fatigue, you let down your guard and click the mail, which initiates the malware. 

Another way app fatigue causes this is when there are too many alerts. Users just accept them without checking what they are for. Some can cause you to download malware, and others can prompt you to give away important details such as bank account login details. 

Productivity Issues Caused by App Fatigue

Here are ways app fatigue causes productivity issues:

Switching between apps wastes time

What happens is that switching between several apps wastes your time, quite opposed to what people think. This phenomenon has a name, “context switching.” Switching between email and, perhaps, an app like Microsoft Teams wastes more time than you think because it forces you to adjust your thought process within short periods, and not everyone can do that.

Locating needed files 

Another way app fatigue causes you to lose productivity is when you find it challenging to find where you stored recent files you need to continue working on. Using several files can make you unproductive. That is why it can be difficult to locate files as you share them simultaneously on numerous apps and platforms. 

Possible Solutions to App Fatigue

If you repeatedly feel frustrated by notification sounds from your smartphone, then know that that’s a sign of app fatigue. 

Delete any app you deem necessary. You can always reinstall them when you need to. You can also put off the notification feature for apps you don’t need if you do not want to install them. For the apps you use consistently, please do not work on their alerts until you are in the right frame of mind. That will increase your security levels. 

Also, to improve your productivity, you can use an app aggregator such as Slack. These app aggregators combine the features of different apps – messaging, video conferencing, video, and file sharing – which reduces the need to switch apps during work. 

Looking to Eliminate App Fatigue in Your Business? Let BrainStomp Help You!

BrainStomp can help your business stay protected against digital threats, including those that generate from non-streamlined technology use. Contact us to get started.