January 12, 2026
Right now, millions are embracing Dry January and reaping the benefits.
They're cutting out alcohol not just because it's unhealthy, but to boost their focus, productivity, and stop relying on vague promises like "I'll start Monday."
Your business has a similar list—only it's filled with harmful tech habits instead of cocktails.
These are the routines everyone knows slow things down or introduce risks, but we keep doing because it's "easier" or "we're too busy."
Until those "small" habits cause big problems.
Discover six damaging tech habits you should break cold turkey this month, and learn smarter alternatives to keep your business safe and running smoothly.
1. Avoiding Software Updates by Clicking "Remind Me Later"
That tempting "Remind Me Later" button is far more harmful than any cyber attack—because it leaves your systems vulnerable.
We understand interruptions are frustrating. But updates don't just bring new features—they seal security gaps hackers are actively exploiting.
Put off once, then again, and suddenly your software is outdated with open doors for cybercriminals.
For example, the infamous WannaCry ransomware spread worldwide by exploiting a vulnerability Microsoft had fixed months earlier—but countless users delayed their updates.
The fallout? Billions lost across 150+ countries as businesses ground to a halt.
Action step: Schedule updates for after hours or let your IT team deploy them silently in the background. No disruptions, no security risks.
2. Using One Password Everywhere
You probably have a go-to password that "checks the boxes" for strength and ease of memory.
But using that same password for multiple accounts—from email to banking to industry forums—exposes you to credential stuffing attacks.
Data leaks happen all the time, so that "strong" password might already be in the hands of hackers, ready to unlock your most sensitive accounts.
Action step: Adopt a reputable password manager, such as Keeper. You just remember one master password; the tool creates and stores complex, unique passwords for everything else—saving you from security headaches.
3. Sharing Passwords Insecurely via Email or Messaging
It's tempting to send login credentials instantly through Slack, email, or text. But these messages remain accessible forever—searchable, archived, and vulnerable to breach.
Think of it as mailing your house key openly—it only takes one compromised inbox for an attacker to collect all your shared passwords.
Action step: Use password managers with secure sharing options. Recipients gain access without ever seeing the real password, and you can revoke permissions anytime. If urgent, split credentials across channels and change passwords immediately after.
4. Granting Admin Rights to Everyone for Convenience
Sometimes it's faster to make someone an admin just to install something or tweak a setting—but this shortcut exposes your entire system.
Admin access allows installing software, disabling protections, altering crucial settings, and deleting data. If those credentials are compromised, hackers inherit all that power.
Ransomware thrives on these widespread admin privileges, accelerating damage across your network.
Action step: Follow the principle of least privilege: assign users only the permissions they absolutely need. Investing a few extra minutes to set this up now can save you from costly disasters later.
5. Leaving Temporary Fixes in Place Permanently
That quick workaround from years ago? It's probably still your team's "standard operating procedure."
While it may get the job done, it often demands more time, relies on tribal knowledge, and creates fragile processes that collapse when anything changes.
Action step: Gather a list of these stopgap solutions and let experts help overhaul them. Replacing workarounds with real fixes improves productivity and reduces stress.
6. Relying on a Complex Spreadsheet to Run Your Business
That infamous, multi-tabbed Excel file with tangled formulas—managed by only a few and created by someone no longer here—is a ticking time bomb.
If it corrupts or its keeper leaves, do you have a backup plan? Spreadsheets lack proper audit trails, aren't scalable, and can't protect your critical data adequately.
Action step: Document the processes the spreadsheet supports and migrate to specialized software like CRMs, inventory management, or scheduling tools. These solutions come with built-in security, backups, and controlled access.
Why Breaking These Habits Is Tough
You're not uninformed—these are common knowledge. The challenge? Being busy makes shortcuts look appealing.
- Consequences are hidden until disaster strikes, so risks seem manageable until they aren't.
- Proper methods feel slower upfront, though they prevent costly breaches and reputational harm.
- When everyone cuts corners, risky behaviors become normalized and invisible.
This is why Dry January succeeds—it creates awareness, stops autopilot habits, and reveals hidden problems.
How to Quit These Habits Without Willpower Alone
Willpower fades; your environment shapes behavior.
Successful businesses design systems where doing the right thing is effortless:
- Password managers rolled out company-wide prevent insecure sharing.
- Automatic updates eliminate the "remind me later" excuse.
- Centralized permission controls stop over-privileged access.
- Workarounds are replaced with well-documented, robust solutions.
- Key spreadsheets are transitioned to proper software with backups and user controls.
Incorporating these changes transforms good practices into default behaviors and leaves bad habits behind.
That's the role of a proactive IT partner—not preaching, but reshaping your systems for seamless security and productivity.
Ready to Break Free from Tech Habits Holding Your Business Back?
Schedule a Bad Habit Audit with us today.
In just 15 minutes, we'll uncover your biggest tech challenges and craft a clear action plan to fix them permanently.
No pressure. No tech jargon. Just a safer, faster, and more profitable 2026.
Click here or give us a call at (502) 473-9330 to book your 15-Minute Discovery Call.
Because some habits deserve to be quit cold turkey—and there's no better time than January.
