Do we really need to have so many apps on our smartphone? Eventually not. The thing is, some look really tempting on the Google Play Store. Then we end up installing them, try them out once or twice and there they stay on the smartphone. The problem is that for every thing we install, we become more exposed. In fact, uninstalling applications can be the salvation of anyone who is on an Android smartphone.
Android: is it worth uninstalling smartphone applications?
Fewer apps mean fewer open ports
When we buy a smartphone and configure it, we only have the apps that come with the factory equipment. Usually some from Google and some from the manufacturer. Now these apps are the target of a lot of attention by those who develop the devices, especially because they are installed from scratch. It’s just that nobody wants to get the reputation of leaving doors open, especially Google, a Samsung or a Xiaomi.
The point is that this is no longer the case with many other apps that we end up installing on our smartphone. Especially the most unknown. So when we install a new app we are opening another potential door for the device.
We are less likely to be followed
A smartphone is also a tracking device. Let’s consider Android, as it is the most common operating system. If we buy a new smartphone and give Google access to everything the company asks for during the setup process, the search engine giant can learn a lot about us.
But when we install other apps that have access to our location, we are giving these companies the same thing. In fact, most of the software on the Play Store tries to follow us in some way. Some apps require you to create an account. Others come with ad networks. However, a large number collect information about you and sell this data to others.
The less you install, the less subject to this you are.
Nowadays, it’s not the code running on our devices that is exposing us to the greatest risks. It’s the code for other people’s machines. A data breach can cause our credit card numbers to be scattered across the Internet. Same with photos and documents.
Considering that most apps use cloud storage these days, if we’re not always installing more stuff, there’s less chance that our data will fall into the wrong hands. If we’re not on Facebook or Twitter, then we don’t have our data there and so on. Furthermore, there is less chance that someone will contact us to extort money.
Less software to update
Criminals can use the vulnerabilities that are present in apps to gain access to our computer. Of course they end up being corrected. However this takes some time. That said, when you install more apps, the possibility of installing a vulnerable app increases. Each new application is another program that you need to keep updated to reduce any risks.
Less risks
The habit of installing multiple applications very frequently makes us less careful. As things go well, we let it go. That’s why we have to be very careful about what we install.
If we put less stuff on our smartphone, we run less risk of installing malware.
