January 12, 2026
Right now, millions are embracing Dry January, putting down drinks to feel energized, improve productivity, and stop postponing change with "I'll start Monday."
Your business has its own Dry January—it's a list of tech habits holding you back instead of cocktails.
These are the familiar, risky tech shortcuts that everyone knows are inefficient but keeps using because it "seems fine" when busy.
But when "fine" isn't good enough, it's time to act.
Here are six damaging tech habits to ditch immediately—and how to replace them with smarter practices.
Habit #1: Delaying Software Updates with "Remind Me Later"
That harmless button causes more harm to small businesses than any hacker could.
We understand avoiding mid-day restarts, but these updates not only enhance features—they fix security flaws hackers are exploiting in real time.
Procrastinating updates leads to running vulnerable software that cybercriminals already know how to exploit.
The infamous WannaCry ransomware attack damaged businesses globally by exploiting a vulnerability patched months earlier. Victims had repeatedly clicked "remind me later."
The cost was billions lost as operations halted across 150+ countries.
Fix it: Schedule updates for after hours or let your IT team apply them silently. Avoid unexpected restarts, but never leave security windows open.
Habit #2: Using the Same Password Everywhere
Many have that go-to password that "meets requirements" and is easy to remember. It's used across email, banking, Amazon, accounting software, and forgotten forums.
But data breaches are rampant. When one site leaks credentials, hackers sell them cheaply, then test them across your accounts.
This attack, called credential stuffing, causes countless account breaches. Your "strong" password becomes a master key in the wrong hands.
Fix it: Use a password manager like LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden. Remember one master password while it securely creates and stores unique, complex passwords for all logins—saving you time and worry.
Habit #3: Sharing Passwords Through Email or Text
It's tempting to quickly send login details over Slack, text, or email to solve access requests.
But those messages persist indefinitely—in inboxes, backups, and archives—ready to be searched and exploited if accounts are compromised.
Sharing passwords like this is like mailing your house keys on a postcard.
Fix it: Use password managers that offer secure sharing without revealing actual passwords, and revoke access anytime. If manual sharing is unavoidable, split credentials across channels and immediately change passwords after.
Habit #4: Giving Admin Rights to Everyone for Convenience
For quick fixes, it's easy to just make users admins instead of assigning precise permissions.
Now many have full control—able to install software, disable security, change settings, and delete files. If hacked, attackers gain all this power too.
Ransomware attacks capitalize on such admin access to cause maximum damage swiftly.
Granting universal admin rights is like handing out the keys to the safe because someone needed a stapler.
Fix it: Apply the principle of least privilege by granting each employee only necessary access. Spending minutes upfront saves you from costly breaches or accidental data loss down the line.
Habit #5: Letting Temporary Workarounds Become Permanent
A quick fix or workaround was put in place and hasn't been revisited since 2019. It's now standard practice despite extra steps and reliance on tribal knowledge.
This decreases productivity massively over time and creates fragile systems that collapse when software or personnel change.
Fix it: List all workarounds your team depends on. Then let experts help replace them with sturdy solutions that remove frustration and save time permanently.
Habit #6: Relying on a Single Spreadsheet to Run Your Business
That one massive Excel file with endless tabs and cryptic formulas known only to a few is your business backbone?
If corrupted or if knowledgeable staff leave, what's the backup? Spreadsheets lack audit trails, scalability, proper backups, and system integration—they're fragile, not dependable platforms.
Fix it: Document the business processes the spreadsheet supports, then migrate to specialized tools—CRMs for customers, inventory systems, scheduling software—that ensure data integrity, security, and shared knowledge.
Why Breaking These Bad Tech Habits Is Challenging
You already know these habits are risky. The real obstacle is being busy.
- The risks often stay hidden until a crisis hits suddenly.
- The right solutions seem slower initially but save massive costs in the long run.
- When the whole team does it, unhealthy habits feel normal and invisible.
Dry January succeeds because it disrupts routines and shines light on hidden issues.
How to Break Tech Habits Effectively Without Depending on Willpower
Willpower alone doesn't drive change; environment does.
Businesses that succeed transform their systems to make good habits the easy default:
- Company-wide password managers eliminate insecure credential sharing.
- Automatic updates remove the temptation to delay patches.
- Centralized permission management prevents unneeded admin access.
- Real solutions replace brittle workarounds.
- Critical data moves from spreadsheets to robust platforms with backups and controls.
Transforming your environment is how smart IT partners enable lasting, effortless security and efficiency improvements—no lectures, just results.
Ready to End the Hidden Tech Habits Undermining Your Business?
Schedule a Bad Habit Audit today.
In just 15 minutes, we'll understand your business challenges and provide a custom roadmap to eliminate those problems for good.
No judgment, no jargon—just a safer, faster, and more profitable 2026.
Click here or give us a call at 978-664-1680 to book your 15-Minute Discovery Call.
Because some habits deserve to be kicked—starting this January.
