January 12, 2026
Right now, millions are embracing Dry January, a commitment to ditch alcohol for a month.
They're cutting out what doesn't serve them well to boost their health, productivity, and finally move past the endless "I'll start on Monday" excuse.
Your business faces its own version of Dry January — not with drinks, but with harmful tech habits.
These are the sneaky routines that slow you down and create hidden risks.
You know the ones. Everyone recognizes they're flawed or unsafe, yet the busyness keeps them alive with excuses like "it's fine".
Until suddenly, it's not.
Here are six destructive tech habits to eliminate immediately — and how to replace them with smarter practices.
Habit #1: Postponing Essential Software Updates
Clicking "Remind Me Later" on updates is one of the biggest dangers to your business security.
We understand the disruption a forced restart can cause during your workday. But updates don't just add features; they close security vulnerabilities hackers actively exploit.
Delay turns into weeks, then months, leaving you vulnerable to attacks like the WannaCry ransomware, which hit companies worldwide—caused by computers running outdated, unpatched software.
The damage? Billions lost across 150+ countries.
Action step: Schedule updates at day's end or let your IT team automate background installs. No interruptions, no risks, just solid protection.
Habit #2: Using One Password Everywhere
Everyone has that one trusty password — meets requirements, somewhat strong, easy to remember — used across your email, banking, shopping, and even random forums.
The problem is, data breaches happen constantly. Those forums leak your credentials, which hackers buy cheaply and apply across sites, easily breaking into your accounts.
This attack method, called credential stuffing, causes countless account breaches, turning your "secure" password into an open door.
Action step: Switch to a password manager like LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden to generate and store unique complex passwords. Remember one strong master password and rest easy.
Habit #3: Sharing Passwords Through Email or Messages
Texting or emailing passwords seems quick and convenient — but those messages stay stored forever, searchable, and retrievable from inboxes and backups.
One compromised email account means hackers can gather every shared password on your team, easily infiltrating critical systems.
It's like mailing your house key to strangers.
Action step: Use secure password managers with sharing features that grant access without revealing passwords. If manual sharing is unavoidable, split information across channels and change the password immediately afterward.
Habit #4: Granting Everyone Admin Privileges for Convenience
Giving admin rights to multiple people just to let someone install software or alter settings might seem easier, but this practice dramatically increases security risks.
Admins can disable protections, delete files, and change everything. If their credentials are stolen, attackers gain full control quickly—often enabling devastating ransomware attacks.
It's akin to handing out the keys to your safe because one person needed temporary access.
Action step: Apply the principle of least privilege by granting team members only the access they absolutely need. The slight extra effort upfront prevents costly breaches and mistakes.
Habit #5: Letting Temporary Workarounds Become the Norm
Temporary fixes that were meant to be addressed later often become permanent, adding tedious extra steps and dependency on tribal knowledge.
These workarounds slow productivity and introduce fragile processes that collapse when conditions or personnel change.
Action step: Identify all current workarounds and let technology experts implement lasting solutions to eliminate inefficiencies and frustration.
Habit #6: Running Your Business on a Complex Spreadsheet
That notorious Excel file with multiple tabs and complex formulas might seem like a hero, but it's a ticking time bomb.
Only a handful understand it, backups are uncertain, and errors can go unnoticed with no audit trail. This creates a single point of failure that threatens your entire operation.
Action step: Document the business functions the spreadsheet supports, then migrate to dedicated software with strong backups, permission controls, and transparent tracking, such as CRM or inventory systems.
Why These Habits Persist Despite the Risks
You're already aware these habits are risky — the real obstacle is being overwhelmed.
- Problems stay hidden until disaster strikes suddenly.
- The secure way seems slower initially, but saves immense time and costs later.
- When everyone does it, bad practices feel normal and safe.
This is exactly why Dry January succeeds for many—it makes unconscious behaviors visible and forces change.
How to Break These Habits Without Just Relying on Willpower
Lasting change comes from adjusting your environment—not sheer willpower.
Lead your business systems so the safest and smartest choice is also the easiest:
- Company-wide password managers remove insecure sharing.
- Automatic updates eliminate procrastination.
- Centralized permission controls prevent excessive admin rights.
- Permanent fixes replace fragile workarounds.
- Specialized tools replace risky spreadsheets, with full backup and audit capabilities.
Good IT partners don't just advise—they transform your processes so the right habits are the effortless default.
Ready to Transform Tech Habits Dragging Your Business Down?
Schedule your Bad Habit Audit today.
In just 15 minutes, we'll discover your challenges and provide a clear, actionable plan that boosts safety, efficiency, and profits for a stronger 2026.
No judgment. No jargon. Just real solutions.
Click here or give us a call at 281-402-2620 to book your 15-Minute Discovery Call.
Because quitting harmful habits cold turkey is tough—but January is the perfect fresh start.
