January 12, 2026
Right now, millions are embracing Dry January, cutting out alcohol to boost their well-being and productivity, finally moving past the "I'll start Monday" mindset.
Your business faces a similar challenge—not with drinks, but with entrenched tech habits slowing your success.
These habits are widely recognized as risky or inefficient, yet often ignored because "it's fine" or "we're too busy." Until they halt progress.
Here are six detrimental tech behaviors you need to quit immediately — and smarter alternatives to implement.
Habit #1: Delaying Software Updates
Clicking "Remind Me Later" on critical updates has caused more harm to businesses than most cyber threats.
Understood—no one wants interruptions during work hours. However, updates patch vital security vulnerabilities criminals actively exploit.
Postponing updates from days to months leaves your systems exposed and vulnerable.
For example, the devastating WannaCry ransomware attack targeted a flaw Microsoft patched months prior—many victims had ignored update prompts.
This led to billions in losses across 150+ countries as operations halted.
Stop the delay: Schedule updates at day's end or have your IT partner update software silently in the background—eliminate surprises and keep hackers out.
Habit #2: Using One Password Everywhere
Having a go-to password that 'meets requirements' and is easy to remember is common—but dangerous.
Data breaches happen constantly; a forgotten forum's leaked database can expose your login info for sale to hackers.
Cybercriminals use emcredential stuffing —testing stolen credentials across sites to hijack accounts.
Your 'strong' password becomes a master key copied into malicious hands.
Fix it now: Adopt a password manager like LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden. Generate unique, complex passwords effortlessly with one master password—minutes to set up, lifetime protection.
Habit #3: Sharing Passwords Insecurely
Sharing login details via text, email, or Slack seems fast but leaves permanent, searchable trails accessible to hackers if any account is compromised.
This unsecured sharing is like mailing your house key on a postcard.
Quit insecure sharing: Use password managers with secure sharing features that grant access without revealing passwords. Shares can be revoked anytime. If manual sharing is unavoidable, divide information across channels and change passwords immediately after.
Habit #4: Giving Everyone Admin Access for Convenience
Granting admin rights broadly because "it's easier" escalates risk—admin accounts control installations, security settings, and critical files.
If credentials are phished, attackers gain full control.
Ransomware exploits admin access for maximum damage swiftly.
Stop over-permissioning: Apply the principle of least privilege—assign users only the access they need. Spending time on correct permissions now saves you from costly breaches and accidental data loss.
Habit #5: Letting Workarounds Become Permanent
Temporary fixes left unaddressed evolve into cumbersome, fragile routines that reduce productivity and rely on tribal knowledge.
When environments change—as they inevitably do—these shortcuts collapse and create chaos.
End this cycle: Compile a list of current workarounds and have experts implement lasting solutions that save time and end frustration.
Habit #6: Relying on One Complex Spreadsheet to Run Your Business
A massive Excel file with multiple tabs and complex formulas, understood by a few, creates a single point of failure.
If corrupted or left without maintenance as key employees leave, the business systems tied to it are at risk.
Spreadsheets lack audit trails, proper backups, and scalability.
Replace risk with reliability: Document the processes your spreadsheet supports, then transition to specialized tools like CRM, inventory management, and scheduling software that offer backups, permissions, and transparency.
Why These Habits Persist
- The risks usually go unnoticed until disaster strikes. Password reuse works until it doesn9bt.
- Proper methods can seem slower momentarily. Picking a memorized password is quick; setting a password manager takes longer but avoids severe consequences.
- Bad habits feel normal when the entire team engages in them, masking risks.
This mirrors why Dry January succeeds—it disrupts autopilot behaviors by raising awareness.
How to Break These Tech Habits Effectively
Willpower alone isn't enough—altering your environment works.
Successful businesses implement systems that make secure, efficient choices the default:
- Deploy password managers company-wide to eliminate unsafe credential sharing.
- Automate updates to remove manual delay options.
- Centralize permission controls to prevent excessive admin rights.
- Replace workarounds with permanent, knowledge-independent solutions.
- Migrate critical spreadsheets to dedicated platforms with robust security and management.
The easiest path becomes the correct path, ensuring lasting improvement.
That9cs exactly the benefit of partnering with expert IT providers—they adjust your infrastructure so smart cybersecurity and efficiency are your business standards.
Ready to Transform Your Business by Eliminating Risky Tech Habits?
Schedule a Bad Habit Audit Today.
In just 15 minutes, we'll understand your challenges and deliver a clear action plan to permanently improve your systems.
No jargon, no judgment—just a safer, faster, and more profitable year ahead.
Click here or give us a call at 316-867-4566 to book your 15-Minute Discovery Call.
Because some habits deserve to be quit cold turkey—and January is the perfect moment to begin.
