January 12, 2026
Right now, millions are embracing Dry January.
They're choosing to ditch the unhealthy habit of drinking to feel more energized, focused, and to stop postponing real change beyond "Monday."
Your company's got its own version of Dry January—only instead of alcohol, it's digital habits you cling to.
Those risky, inefficient tech routines everyone knows are problematic but keeps doing out of convenience or time pressure.
And while they might seem harmless now… someday they won't be.
Here are six damaging tech practices to cut out immediately — and smarter habits to adopt instead.
Habit #1: Postponing Software Updates
The "Remind Me Later" button has been more harmful to small businesses than any hacker.
It's tempting to delay updates to avoid inconvenient restarts. But these updates don't just add features—they seal security gaps hackers actively exploit.
Days become weeks. Weeks become months—leaving your system exposed to attacks criminals already know how to execute.
Take the WannaCry ransomware attack: businesses worldwide were devastated because they delayed the Microsoft patch that had been available for two months.
The result? Billions lost as organizations ground to a halt across 150+ countries.
How to break this habit: Schedule updates for off-peak hours or let your IT provider roll them out quietly in the background. No interruptions, no risks, just stronger defenses.
Habit #2: Reusing One Password Everywhere
That one go-to password might seem secure and easy to remember.
But using it for bank accounts, emails, shopping sites, and obscure forums puts your entire digital life at risk.
Data breaches are rampant; any leaked database with your info is a jackpot for hackers. They use a tactic called credential stuffing—trying stolen logins across multiple platforms to gain access.
Your single "strong" password becomes a master key they already hold.
Switch it up: Use a password manager like LastPass or 1Password. Memorize one master password, and let it create and store unique, complex passwords for every account. Setup takes minutes, security lasts forever.
Habit #3: Sharing Passwords via Text or Email
Passing credentials through Slack, email, or SMS is common and fast.
But this leaves a permanent, searchable trail—your passwords stored in inboxes, cloud backups, and sent folders.
One compromised email can expose all shared passwords, giving cybercriminals easy entry.
This is the digital equivalent of mailing your house keys on a postcard.
Stop it now: Use password managers' secure sharing features that grant access without exposing the actual password. You can revoke access anytime, eliminating lingering risks. If manual sharing is unavoidable, split credentials across channels and change them immediately after.
Habit #4: Giving Everyone Admin Rights Because "It's Easier"
Granting full admin access to team members simply because it's quicker for tasks is a dangerous shortcut.
Admins can install software, turn off security, modify critical settings, and delete files. If their credentials are compromised, attackers gain the same control.
Ransomware thrives on admin privileges: more access means faster, deeper damage.
Handing out admin rights like this is like giving everyone keys to the safe because one person needed a stapler.
Fix it: Apply the principle of least privilege—people only get the access they absolutely need. Yes, setting permissions takes a little more time, but it's a small price compared to data breaches or accidental data losses.
Habit #5: Permanent Workarounds Meant to Be Temporary
You've patched problems with quick fixes that were supposed to be temporary.
Years pass, and these workarounds become your daily routine despite extra steps or complexity.
This wastes massive time across your team and leaves you relying on fragile, undocumented processes that collapse with any change.
Take action: List all your current workarounds. Don't try fixing them alone—that's why they persist. Instead, let experts help you replace them with robust, streamlined solutions that boost efficiency and eliminate frustration.
Habit #6: Depending on a Single Spreadsheet to Run Everything
You know the spreadsheet: multiple tabs with complex formulas only a handful understand.
What happens if it gets corrupted or the key person leaves? You risk losing vital business knowledge and data.
Spreadsheets lack audit trails, don't scale, integrate poorly, and usually aren't backed up properly—they're a ticking time bomb.
Upgrade now: Document the processes supported by that spreadsheet, then move to specialized software like CRM, inventory, or scheduling tools. These come with backups, audit logs, user controls, and don't rely on one individual's memory. Spreadsheets serve as tools—not business foundations.
Why Breaking Bad Tech Habits Is Tough
You're aware these habits aren't ideal.
But being busy means bad practices sneak in unnoticed because:
- Consequences are hidden until a disaster hits. Reused passwords work — until they don't.
- Proper methods feel slower at first—setting up managers or permissions takes extra time upfront.
- Everyone else does it, normalizing insecure behavior until risks vanish into the background.
Dry January works because it forces awareness and breaks autopilot. Tech hygiene needs that same clarity.
How to Kick Bad Tech Habits for Good
Willpower alone won't cut it. You need a supporting environment where secure habits are effortless:
- Company-wide password managers eliminate unsafe sharing.
- Automatic updates remove "remind me later" temptations.
- Centralized permissions keep admin rights in check.
- Real solutions replace fragile workarounds.
- Proper software replaces fragile spreadsheets with reliable systems.
When the right choice is the easiest choice, bad habits fall away naturally.
This is exactly what a skilled IT partner provides—not lectures, but real system changes that make security and efficiency your business's default.
Ready to Eliminate Tech Habits Quietly Holding Your Business Back?
Schedule a Bad Habit Audit today.
In just 15 minutes, we'll understand your unique challenges and deliver a clear, actionable plan to fix persistent issues once and for all.
Expect no judgment or jargon—just a safer, faster, and more profitable 2026.
Click here or give us a call at 214-845-8198 to book your 15-Minute Discovery Call.
Some habits are worth quitting cold turkey—and January is the perfect moment to start.
