January is a great time to reset—not just personally, but for your business. Many small businesses unknowingly keep bad tech habits that cost time, productivity, and security. From ignored updates to fragile spreadsheets, these practices quietly add risk.
If your business has 9+ workstations in the GTA or Simcoe County, start improving now. Book a FREE Cybersecurity Risk Assessment NOW! to see exactly where your IT systems may be vulnerable.
Why Updating and Managing Access Matters
Before diving into specific habits, it’s important to understand the impact of outdated software, weak passwords, and excessive admin rights. Small changes here can prevent big headaches later. The next sections break down six habits to quit and practical ways to fix them.
Stop Clicking “Remind Me Later”
Delaying updates seems harmless, but it leaves doors open for hackers who already know the vulnerabilities. Many ransomware attacks succeed because patches weren’t applied promptly.
Quit it: Schedule updates for the end of the day, or let a managed IT provider push them automatically in the background to keep your systems secure and your team productive.
Passwords and Sharing: Strengthen Your Defenses
Passwords and access management are a weak spot for many small businesses. Even small adjustments here drastically reduce the risk of breaches.
1. Ditch the One Password That Works Everywhere
Using one password across email, banking, and apps is convenient—but dangerous. Credential stuffing exploits reused passwords daily.
Quit it: A password manager like LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden creates unique, strong passwords for every account. One master password protects all your systems.
2. Stop Sharing Passwords via Email or Text
Sending passwords over Slack or email leaves permanent, searchable records. It’s the digital equivalent of mailing your house keys.
Quit it: Password managers allow secure sharing without revealing credentials. Access can be revoked at any time.
3. Limit Admin Access
Giving everyone admin rights may feel easier, but it amplifies the damage if credentials are compromised.
Quit it: Apply the principle of least privilege—employees only get the access they need to do their jobs.
Fragile Systems: Workarounds and Spreadsheets
Temporary fixes and over-reliance on spreadsheets create hidden risk. They may “work,” but they also slow your team and create single points of failure.
1. Replace Temporary Workarounds
Old fixes that were “temporary” years ago now frustrate employees and create fragile systems.
Quit it: Document workarounds and let experts replace them with permanent solutions, improving both security and efficiency.
2. Move Beyond Critical Spreadsheets
A complex Excel file controlling your business is a single point of failure. Accidental deletions or losing the employee who built it could cripple operations.
Quit it: Document business processes and migrate to proper tools. Cloud solutions offer secure backups, audit trails, and proper access controls. Learning more about Cloud Services can simplify this transition.
Managed IT Services Make It Easy
Breaking bad habits isn’t about willpower—it’s about systems. Managed IT Services help by automating updates, controlling permissions, and securing passwords, so the right way becomes the easy way. Learn more about Managed IT Services and take the guesswork out of IT.
Protect Your Business in 2025
Skipping risk assessments or relying on outdated tech can be costly. Believing These 5 Risk Assessment Myths Could Cost Your Business if vulnerabilities go unchecked. A proper assessment identifies risks before attackers do, while cloud and managed solutions secure your operations.
January is the perfect time to quit bad tech habits. Book a FREE Cybersecurity Risk Assessment NOW! and protect your GTA or Simcoe County business in 2025.
Darryl Cresswell
CEO & President
MYDWARE IT Solutions Inc.
