January 12, 2026
Right now, millions are embracing Dry January, choosing to skip alcohol to boost their health and productivity.
Your business has a similar "Dry January" list - but it's filled with tech habits that slow you down and expose you to risk.
These are the habits everyone knows are risky or inefficient, yet they persist due to "we're too busy" or "it's fine."
But what happens when "fine" suddenly isn't?
Here are six tech habits to eliminate immediately, plus effective alternatives to keep your business secure and efficient.
Habit #1: Postponing Software Updates by Clicking "Remind Me Later"
This innocuous button has done more harm than many cyberattacks combined.
We understand—no one wants their work interrupted by restarts. Yet, updates often fix critical security vulnerabilities exploited by hackers.
Delaying updates by days and weeks leaves your software exposed to known threats, just like victims of the infamous WannaCry ransomware who ignored patches for months.
The financial impact was massive, with billions lost globally as businesses shut down.
Action Step: Schedule updates after hours or let your IT team handle them seamlessly in the background. This eliminates disruptions and secures your systems from attack.
Habit #2: Reusing One Password Across Multiple Accounts
We all have that "go-to" password that feels strong and is easy to remember—but using it everywhere puts your business at grave risk.
When a breach happens, like on an obscure forum, hackers get your credentials and try them on your email, bank, and key software.
This tactic, known as credential stuffing, accounts for a vast majority of account hacks. Your "strong" password becomes an open door.
Action Step: Adopt a password manager such as LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden. You only remember one strong master password, while the software generates and stores complex, unique passwords everywhere else, safeguarding your access indefinitely.
Habit #3: Sharing Passwords via Text, Email, or Chat
Sending passwords over Slack, email, or SMS might seem convenient, but these messages linger indefinitely—stored in inboxes, sent folders, and cloud backups.
Any compromised email account instantly gives hackers unlimited access to your shared credentials. It's like mailing your house keys to strangers.
Action Step: Use password managers' secure sharing features. This allows access without exposing actual passwords and lets you revoke access anytime. If manual sharing is unavoidable, split the information across channels and change passwords immediately afterward.
Habit #4: Granting All Employees Admin Rights for Convenience
It might be faster to make everyone an admin for installing software or changing settings, but this puts your business at huge risk.
Admins can disable security tools or delete important files. If their account is compromised, hackers gain full control, escalating threats like ransomware.
Action Step: Follow the principle of least privilege. Assign permissions strictly based on necessity. While it takes more effort upfront, it prevents costly breaches and accidental data loss.
Habit #5: Allowing "Temporary" Workarounds to Become Permanent
Sometimes quick fixes become the norm, even years later. They complicate workflows and depend on tribal knowledge.
This fragility results in lost productivity and fragile systems that break when conditions change.
Action Step: List your team's workarounds and partner with experts to replace them with stable, scalable solutions that eliminate bottlenecks and frustration.
Habit #6: Relying on a Complex Spreadsheet to Run Your Business
That massive, multi-tab spreadsheet can be a ticking time bomb—only a few understand how it works, and it lacks proper backup and audit trails.
Accidental deletions or staff turnover jeopardize critical processes without warning.
Action Step: Document the business processes your spreadsheet supports and transition to purpose-built software like CRMs, inventory management, and scheduling tools that offer security, backups, and seamless integration.
Why It's So Hard to Break These Tech Habits
You already know these habits carry risks. The real challenge is time and visibility.
- Consequences are often invisible until a major failure occurs.
- The "right" solutions feel slower upfront compared to quick fixes.
- Widespread use normalizes risky behaviors, making them harder to spot.
This is the power of Dry January—it makes invisible risks visible and disrupts autopilot behaviors.
How to Quit for Good: Change Your Environment, Not Just Your Habits
Success doesn't come from willpower alone; it comes from making secure, efficient choices the easiest option.
Companies that succeed deploy password managers companywide, automate updates, manage permissions centrally, replace workarounds with real solutions, and migrate key data to proper platforms.
The right systems make good habits automatic, and bad habits too difficult to maintain.
Ready to Eliminate Costly Tech Habits Hurting Your Business?
Schedule a Bad Habit Audit with us today.
In just 15 minutes, we'll uncover your business's pain points and provide a clear plan to resolve them permanently—no jargon, no judgment, just practical solutions for a safer and more profitable 2026.
Click here or give us a call at 877-310-0123 to book your 15-Minute Discovery Call.
Some habits deserve a cold turkey break—and January is the perfect time to do it.
