Stop Apple devices from sharing WiFi password
How do you stop Apple devices from sharing WiFi passwords? There are two scenarios in play.
- Once an Apple device has a WiFi connection set up, that device can share the credentials with another person, as long as the device owner permits it and I believe the other person is in the contact list. How could Apple even possibly think this is a good idea? As the owner of the WiFi network, I want to specifically have control over who has the ability to connect. Just because I provide the credentials to one individual with an Apple device, does not mean I want to delegate that individual control over who else has my WiFi credentials. A total breach of security and trust by Apple in this case.
- Once I have a WiFi network setup on my Mac, it automatically adds to my iPhone. I then find out I am connected to this network without knowing it had changed over, even though I specifically did not add the network to the iPhone. I delete the WiFi network from my iPhone to prevent the accidental connection from happening without my knowledge again, and it deletes it from my Mac, where I want the connection. Adding it back to the Mac, also adds it back to the iPhone. I did find out I can stop this behavior by turning off the cloud keychain, but now other passwords and information that I want to transfer between the two does not. I cannot turn off one without the other.
Bottom line is Apple has really dropped the ball big time in the WiFi security area. They need to remove the ability to share WiFi networks between "friends and family" for one before someone really has security issue and decides to bring legal action against them. Second, they need to differentiate between keychain and WiFi credentials. This could be another potential legal issue when someone ends up in trouble because they were on a wireless network that they did not add to their device and didn't even know they were using. Step it up Apple, you are becoming a follower in a game you once led.
iPhone XS Max, iOS 12