Why should I delete apps that I no longer use?

We all use mobile apps every day, from social media to banking and messaging apps. But in many cases we forget to delete those apps that we no longer use and leave them on our phones. What are the consequences of not deleting those applications that we no longer use?

The accumulation of unused apps on your devices can have serious consequences in terms of cybersecurity.

Security Vulnerabilities: Applications that are no longer updated or maintained may contain unpatched security vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals often look for these weaknesses to exploit and access your data or devices. If you do not remove these apps, your device is more prone to falling victim to cyber attacks.

Malware Risk: By keeping outdated apps on your device, you increase the risk of downloading malware. Cybercriminals can compromise outdated applications and use them as vectors for the distribution of malicious software

Loss of Privacy: Some apps ask for extensive permissions to access your personal data, such as your contacts, location or camera. If you don’t use these apps, you are giving unnecessary access to your personal data, which could jeopardize your privacy.

Slower Device: Apps running in the background, even if you’re not actively using them, they can slow down your device and increase the chance of it crashing or behaving unusually.

Greater Attack Surface: The more apps you have installed, the larger the attack surface for cybercriminals. This means there are more potential entry points for cyber threats.