January 12, 2026
Right now, millions are embracing Dry January.
They're cutting out alcohol to improve their wellbeing, boost productivity, and stop relying on the perpetual excuse of "I'll start Monday."
Your business has its own version of Dry January— a list of tech habits that need to go.
Instead of cocktails, these are risky tech behaviors holding you back.
You recognize them. Everyone knows they're inefficient or unsafe. Yet, "it's fine" and "we're busy" keep them alive.
Until suddenly, they're not fine anymore.
Here are six harmful tech habits to stop immediately, along with smarter alternatives that protect your business.
Habit #1: Postponing Software Updates with "Remind Me Later"
This seemingly harmless button has jeopardized more small businesses than many cyberattacks.
We understand the frustration of unexpected restarts during work, but these updates are crucial—not just for features but to patch active security flaws.
Delaying updates from days to weeks, or months, leaves your systems vulnerable to hackers who exploit known loopholes.
Remember the global havoc caused by the WannaCry ransomware? It targeted a vulnerability that had been patched by Microsoft two months prior—patches many ignored by clicking "remind me later."
The result? Billions lost worldwide as businesses ground to a halt.
Action Step: Schedule updates for the end of your workday or allow your IT team to run them quietly in the background. This eliminates surprises and keeps cybercriminals at bay.
Habit #2: Using One Password Across Multiple Accounts
We all have a go-to password—one that feels strong and is easy to recall.
The problem? Using it everywhere—from email to banking, to obscure forums—exposes you to credential theft when any site suffers a breach.
Hackers use leaked combinations to infiltrate your accounts via a tactic called credential stuffing. Your "strong" password becomes a master key in the wrong hands.
Action Step: Adopt a password manager like LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden. Remember only one master password while effortlessly generating unique, complex ones across all platforms. Setup is quick; security is lifelong.
Habit #3: Sharing Passwords via Text or Email
It's tempting to solve access problems quickly by texting or emailing passwords:
"Here's the login: admin@company.com, password Summer2024!"
But those messages stay archived indefinitely—in sent folders, inboxes, cloud backups—making your credentials accessible to hackers if any account is compromised.
This is akin to sending your house key on a postcard.
Action Step: Use password managers' secure sharing tools to grant access without exposing passwords directly. If you must share manually, split credentials across different channels and promptly change the password afterward.
Habit #4: Granting Everyone Admin Rights for Convenience
Giving full admin access just because it's faster to install software or change settings is a major risk.
Admins can alter crucial configurations, disable security features, or delete data. If their accounts get compromised, attackers inherit all those privileges.
Ransomware attacks thrive on such broad access—more rights mean more damage, faster.
Action Step: Implement the principle of least privilege. Only assign necessary permissions per user. Though this requires extra setup time, it significantly reduces breach risks and accidental errors.
Habit #5: Allowing Temporary Fixes to Become Permanent Habits
Workarounds often start as quick solutions: "We'll fix it properly later."
Years later, those band-aids become standard practice—adding complexity, reliance on specific people, and fragility.
When something inevitably changes, these fragile fixes can collapse, causing frustration and downtime because no one remembers the permanent solution.
Action Step: List all workaround processes your team uses. Don't attempt to solve them alone. Instead, engage experts to replace them with stable, efficient systems. Save time, reduce stress.
Habit #6: Relying on One Complex Spreadsheet to Run Critical Operations
We all know the notorious Excel file packed with endless tabs and complicated formulas, understood by only a few—one of whom has left the company.
Spreadsheets lack version control, proper backups, and audit trails. Accidental deletions can go unnoticed, and scale or integration demands overwhelm them.
Action Step: Document the business processes the spreadsheet supports, then migrate to specialized tools like CRMs, inventory systems, or scheduling platforms. These provide security, backups, and user management, turning fragile processes into robust solutions.
Why Breaking These Habits Is Challenging
You're not ignorant of the risks—your challenge is being busy.
- Negative outcomes remain hidden until disaster strikes. Password reuse seems harmless until the breach.
- Proper security feels slower initially—setting up password managers takes time. But this time investment prevents costly breaches and reputational harm.
- When everyone does it, risky behaviors appear normal, and the danger recedes from view.
This is why Dry January works: it breaks autopilot habits by shining a light on them.
How to Quit Without Relying on Willpower Alone
Success isn't about discipline—it's about environment.
Make security effortless and the right choices automatic.
- Implement company-wide password managers to eliminate insecure sharing.
- Automate software updates to remove the temptation of "remind me later."
- Centralize permission management to prevent over-granting admin rights.
- Replace fragile workarounds with streamlined, documented solutions.
- Shift critical workflows from fragile spreadsheets to purpose-built software with backups and controls.
Good IT partnerships transform your systems so that secure, efficient workflows are the default and bad habits become the harder choice.
Ready to Eliminate Hidden Tech Risks That Drain Your Business?
Schedule a comprehensive Bad Habit Audit with us.
In just 15 minutes, we'll assess your pain points and craft a clear, jargon-free plan to strengthen your tech and boost profitability in 2026.
Click here or give us a call at 920-818-0900 to book your 15-Minute Discovery Call.
Quit the habits quietly undermining your success.
January is the perfect time to start fresh.
