January 12, 2026
Right now, millions are embracing Dry January, choosing to eliminate alcohol to boost their health, productivity, and break free from procrastination.
Your business faces its own version of Dry January—a list of tech habits just as detrimental as those cocktails.
You recognize them: risky or inefficient behaviors everyone acknowledges but excuses with "it's fine" or "we're too busy."
Until the consequences hit hard.
Discover six destructive tech habits to ditch immediately, paired with smarter alternatives to implement today.
Habit #1: Postponing Software Updates by Clicking "Remind Me Later"
This seemingly harmless button causes more damage to small businesses than many cybercriminals.
We understand—no one wants unexpected restarts mid-workday. But updates don't just add features; they patch critical security flaws hackers actively target.
Delaying updates from days to weeks leaves your systems vulnerable with open doors for attackers.
The infamous WannaCry ransomware attack infected countless businesses by exploiting a flaw that was patched months earlier—patches businesses delayed installing.
The fallout? Billions lost worldwide as operations ground to a halt.
Action Step: Automate updates during downtime or partner with IT experts who install patches unobtrusively—eliminating risks and surprises.
Habit #2: Using One Password Across All Accounts
That go-to password you rely on? It seems strong and convenient, but reusing it everywhere—from your email to banking and even obscure forums—puts you in serious danger.
Breaches happen frequently—what if a forgotten forum leaks your credentials? Hackers purchase these lists cheaply and try them across platforms.
This practice, called credential stuffing, is a leading cause of cyber breaches, turning your "strong" password into a master key in the wrong hands.
Action Step: Adopt a reliable password manager like LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden. Securely generate and store complex, unique passwords, unlocking ultimate peace of mind.
Habit #3: Sharing Passwords Insecurely Via Email or Messaging
Quick fixes like sending login details over Slack, texts, or emails may seem efficient but leave permanent, searchable trails—exposing your credentials if any account is compromised.
It's practically handing out your house keys wrapped in an open letter.
Action Step: Use password managers with secure sharing features that grant access without revealing actual passwords. If manual sharing is unavoidable, split information and update credentials immediately after.
Habit #4: Granting Admin Rights to Everyone for Convenience
Sometimes an employee needs to install software or adjust settings, and instead of fine-tuning permissions, they're given full admin access.
This shortcut can put critical security functions and data at risk—if compromised, attackers gain complete control.
Think of it as giving every staff member keys to the safe just because one needed a stapler.
Action Step: Apply the principle of least privilege—grant only the access essential for the task. Investing a little time prevents costly security breaches.
Habit #5: Letting Temporary Workarounds Become Permanent Solutions
A broken process patched with a quick fix in the past often becomes the default way to operate—despite inefficiencies and fragility.
These band-aids add extra steps, require special knowledge, and risk collapse when conditions shift.
Action Step: Catalogue your temporary workarounds and partner with experts to replace them with robust, efficient systems that boost productivity and stability.
Habit #6: Relying on a Complex Spreadsheet to Run Your Entire Business
That massive Excel file with countless tabs and formulas that only a few understand might seem indispensable—but it's a ticking time bomb.
If it gets corrupted or its creator leaves, how will you maintain critical operations?
Spreadsheets lack proper audit trails, backups, and scalability—meaning your business is vulnerable to data loss and operational disruption.
Action Step: Document the processes controlled by your spreadsheet and transition to specialized tools—like CRM, inventory, or scheduling software—that offer security, backups, and user controls.
Why These Habits Persist Despite Risks
You're informed but overwhelmed. These bad habits survive because:
- Risks remain unseen until disaster strikes—reusing passwords seems harmless until breached.
- The correct actions feel time-consuming compared to quick shortcuts, obscuring the long-term costs.
- When everyone does it, flawed practices become normalized and unnoticed.
Dry January works by making the invisible visible and breaking autopilot. The same principle applies to tech habits.
How to Break These Habits Without Relying on Willpower Alone
Success comes from reshaping your environment—not just discipline.
Implement systems where the secure choice is also the easiest choice:
- Company-wide deployment of password managers removes risky credential sharing.
- Automated updates prevent procrastination and vulnerabilities.
- Centralized permission management eliminates unnecessary admin rights.
- Permanent fixes replace fragile workarounds supported by tribal knowledge.
- Critical spreadsheets migrate to professional platforms with backups and user controls.
With the right systems in place, good habits become the path of least resistance while bad habits fade.
This is the impactful role a trusted IT partner plays—not lectures about mistakes, but transforming your tech landscape for safer, smoother operations.
Ready to Eliminate the Tech Habits Undermining Your Business?
Schedule a Bad Habit Audit with us.
In just 15 minutes, we'll analyze your current challenges and provide a clear action plan to revolutionize your operations.
No jargon. No judgment. Just a streamlined, secure, and profitable 2026 awaits.
Click here or give us a call at 919-741-5468 to book your 15-Minute Discovery Call.
Certain habits deserve to be quit cold turkey—January is the perfect moment to start.
