January 12, 2026
Every January, a lot of people swear off habits they know aren't doing them any favors.
Dry January. No sugar. Fewer late nights. More sleep.
Not because those habits caused a crisis — but because they eventually would if left unchecked.
Most businesses have their own version of this. It just doesn't involve cocktails.
Instead, it's made up of small, risky technology habits that feel harmless in the moment. Things that get waved off with "it's fine" or "we'll deal with it later."
Until suddenly, it's not fine.
Below are six technology habits we see all the time in small and mid-sized Marshfield businesses — and what actually works better in their place.
Want to build good tech habits for your Massachusetts Business? Book a Discovery Call today
Habit #1: Clicking "Remind Me Later" on Software Updates
That button has probably caused more real-world damage than most hackers ever could.
We understand why updates get postponed. Restarting a computer in the middle of a busy day feels disruptive. But those updates aren't just cosmetic — they often patch security gaps that attackers already know how to exploit.
Delays turn into weeks. Weeks turn into months. And suddenly perfectly good systems are wide open.
WannaCry is the classic example. Microsoft released a patch. Many organizations ignored it. Two months later, ransomware shut down hospitals, factories, and offices across the globe.
The fix wasn't complicated — it just wasn't prioritized.
A better approach:
Schedule updates during off-hours or let them run quietly in the background. The goal isn't perfection; it's removing known vulnerabilities without disrupting work. A managed services provider like Systems Support can help to ensure patches and updates are being regularly applied across your whole business.
Habit #2: Reusing the Same Password Everywhere
Almost everyone has that password. It meets the rules. It's easy to remember. And it shows up everywhere.
The problem isn't guessing it. It's reuse.
When a small, forgotten website gets breached, attackers don't stop there. They take those credentials and try them across email, cloud tools, and financial accounts. This is called credential stuffing — and it works far more often than people expect.
Your "strong" password becomes a master key.
Take control: Use a password manager like LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden. Remember one master password, and let the manager create and store unique, complex passwords for every account. Set-up is quick; peace of mind lasts indefinitely.
Habit #3: Sharing Passwords via Email or Messaging Apps
It usually starts innocently.
"Can you send me the login?"
"Sure — here you go."
That message now lives forever: inboxes, sent folders, backups, search results. If any one of those accounts is ever compromised, your shared credentials are exposed.
It's the digital equivalent of copying your house key and mailing it around.
Secure sharing: Utilize password managers' built-in sharing capabilities. Others access credentials without ever seeing the password and permissions can be revoked instantly. If manual sharing is unavoidable, split credentials across multiple channels and change passwords immediately after, if Greg needs to log into your account again maybe it's time to revisit your business's access plan.
Habit #4: Granting Everyone Admin Rights for Convenience
At some point, someone needed to install software quickly. Instead of adjusting permissions, admin rights were granted "temporarily."
They're still there.
Admin access allows users to install software, disable protections, and change critical settings. If those credentials are compromised, attackers gain the same power.
Ransomware spreads fastest through admin accounts.
Do it right: Apply the principle of least privilege—grant each user only the access necessary to perform their job. Setting proper permissions takes minutes but can save you from devastating breaches or accidental data loss in your South Shore Business.
Habit #5: Leaving Temporary Fixes as Permanent Solutions
Most Marshfield businesses have at least one workaround that started as a stopgap.
A manual step. A strange process. A note that says "don't touch this."
Years later, no one remembers why it exists — only that everything breaks if it's removed.
These fixes depend on fragile assumptions and specific people remembering how things work. When something changes (and it always does), the system collapses.
Fix for good: Compile a list of all workaround practices your team relies on. Don't try to solve them solo—let experts help overhaul these systems, eliminating headaches and reclaiming valuable time.
Want to bring in expert IT help for your business?
Habit #6: Relying on a Critical Spreadsheet to Run Your Business
You know the one.
Multiple tabs. Complex formulas. Only a couple people understand it — and one of them already left.
If that file disappears or corrupts, what happens?
Spreadsheets are great tools. They're terrible systems.
They don't scale well, don't integrate cleanly, and often aren't backed up the way people assume.
Upgrade your system: Document the business processes the spreadsheet serves, not just the file itself. Then transition to specialized tools—CRMs for customer management, inventory software for stock control, scheduling systems for appointments—all offering backups, tracking, and controlled access. Spreadsheets excel at calculations; they aren't built as core platforms (and they're never documented as such).
Why These Destructive Habits Persist
These behaviors don't exist because business owners don't care.
They exist because everyone is busy.
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Risks stay invisible until they compound
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The "right" setup feels slower in the moment
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When everyone does it, it feels normal
Dry January works because it interrupts autopilot. It makes invisible habits visible.
Technology habits are no different.
How to Successfully Break These Tech Habits Without Relying on Willpower
The Marshfield businesses that succeed here don't rely on discipline. They change the environment.
They make the safe option the easy one:
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Password managers replace sharing
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Updates run automatically
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Permissions are managed centrally
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Workarounds are removed, not memorized
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Critical processes move out of spreadsheets
This is where a good IT partner adds real value — not by lecturing, but by building systems that quietly prevent bad habits from forming in the first place.
Ready to Kick Tech Habits That Undermine Your Business?
Schedule your Bad Habit Audit today.
In just 15 minutes, we'll dive into your business challenges and deliver a personalized roadmap to eliminate these issues permanently.
No jargon, no judgment—just a safer, faster, and more profitable 2026 ahead.
Click here or give us a call at 781-837-0069 to book your 15-Minute Discovery Call.
Some habits are worth quitting cold turkey.
And there's no better time to start than January.
Summary:
Many small and mid-sized Massachusetts businesses unknowingly rely on risky technology habits that feel convenient but create long-term security and operational issues. Common problems include delaying software updates, reusing passwords, sharing credentials insecurely, granting excessive access, relying on workarounds, and running core processes on fragile spreadsheets. These habits persist because teams are busy, not careless. By replacing them with smarter systems — like automated updates, password managers, proper access controls, and purpose-built software — businesses across the South Shore can reduce risk, improve efficiency, and avoid preventable crises.
