January 12, 2026
Right now, millions are embracing Dry January, ditching alcohol to feel healthier, boost productivity, and stop postponing change with "I'll start Monday."
Your business faces a similar challenge—a list not of cocktails, but of tech habits that undermine efficiency and security.
These common but risky tech routines persist because "it's fine" and "we're busy," until suddenly, they're not.
Discover six critical tech habits to break immediately, and learn practical alternatives that safeguard and streamline your operations.
1. Ignoring Software Updates by Clicking "Remind Me Later"
That harmless button causes more damage to small companies than cyber attacks. Delays in updating software leave your systems exposed to vulnerabilities hackers exploit daily.
What starts as postponement quickly becomes months of outdated, at-risk software—like victims of the devastating WannaCry ransomware attack who ignored patches released months earlier.
Stop delaying: Arrange updates during off-hours or let your IT team handle updates silently in the background to maintain security without disrupting work.
2. Reusing One Password Across Multiple Platforms
Using a single "strong" password across email, banking, and software makes you vulnerable. Data leaks from one site expose all your accounts through credential stuffing attacks.
Avoid becoming a victim to stolen credentials by adopting a password manager like LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden. These tools generate unique, complex passwords that you don't need to remember—just one master password secures everything.
3. Sending Passwords Through Insecure Channels
Sharing login info over email, Slack, or text leaves a permanent, searchable trail accessible to anyone who hacks an account.
It's as risky as mailing your house keys. Instead, utilize password managers' secure sharing features that never reveal actual passwords and allow you to revoke access anytime.
4. Granting Admin Rights to Everyone for Convenience
Assigning admin access broadly might seem easier but opens the door for serious damage: installing unapproved software, disabling protections, or deleting critical data.
Admin rights are like master keys—if compromised, attackers gain full control. Implement the principle of least privilege, giving users only the access necessary for their roles to reduce risks dramatically.
5. Letting Temporary Fixes Become Permanent Workarounds
Quick fixes that were meant to be temporary often stick around, creating inefficiencies and fragile systems dependent on specific conditions or knowledge.
Compile a list of these workarounds, then seek expert help to replace them with robust solutions that enhance productivity and minimize headaches.
6. Relying on a Single Complex Spreadsheet to Run Your Business
That one Excel file with convoluted formulas and limited experts is a ticking time bomb. If corrupted or if the key user leaves, your operations can grind to a halt.
Document the processes it supports and transition to specialized software like CRM, inventory management, or scheduling tools that offer backups, permissions, and audit trails for reliable business continuity.
Why Breaking These Habits Is Tough
You're knowledgeable but overwhelmed. Bad tech habits endure because their risks remain unseen until disaster strikes, the "easy way" feels quicker initially, and normalized team behaviors mask dangerous practices.
How to Change for Good Without Relying on Willpower
Transform your environment to make secure habits the default. Deploy company-wide password managers, automate updates, manage permissions centrally, replace workarounds with real fixes, and move critical processes off risky spreadsheets.
True change comes when the right actions are simply the easiest options available.
Ready to Transform Your Business by Eliminating Risky Tech Habits?
Schedule a Bad Habit Audit with us. In just 15 minutes, we'll assess your challenges and provide a clear plan to boost safety, efficiency, and profitability in 2026.
No jargon, no judgment—just practical steps toward a stronger future.
Click here or give us a call at 954-327-1001 to schedule your Consult.
Some habits need to be quit cold turkey—there's no better time than January to start.
