“Weak Security” Wifi after iOS 14 update

I apparently found a solution for this problem, which I see as a false message caused by a bug. My router uses forced AES, so there‘s no way the connexion can be weak, IMHO. Anyway, I have a 2,5GHz and a 5GHz signal, and when my iPad changes from one to the other, in function of the distance and walls, when I first choose 5G, for example, it says “weak security”. I then switch the wifi off on the iPad and turn it on again; it then connects at once without this ridiculous message. Don’t know if it will work for anyone else, but I do hope Apple fixes this.

REPEATING what is posted right above your post, so you don’t have to scroll up:

If it says Weak Security, that means that your router is not configured correctly. iOS 14 checks and displays that message if your router is not using the most up-to-date security. Note that your router has always had weak security, you just didn’t know about it until now.

See this Apple support article for how to configure it correctly—>Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points - Apple Support, specifically the section headed Security.

This is NOT an iPhone problem; it is a problem with your router settings.

A "Weak Security" notification means that your Wi-Fi router is not configured correctly. There is a new feature in iOS 14 that checks and displays a message if your router is not using the most up-to-date security. Note that your router has always had weak security, you just didn’t know about it until now. 

See this Apple support article for how to configure it correctly—>Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points - Apple Support, specifically the section headed Security. And don't forget to configure your range extenders (if any) also!

Yes...I just dealt with this issue yesterday with my Optimum service and I am VERY upset. I have had the highest data usage out of all employees in an office of over 100 people (including workers in the field who would typically have the highest)...the company has its own wifi...but the reason my data was so high was due to streaming at home - which should be free/unlimited data through my home wifi.

I pay extra to have the best signal strength for my wifi. Lately, I've noticed the "weak security" notice below it. When I called Optimum, they had to change the security setting remotely so that it no longer shows this message. The reason I am so angry is because neither Apple NOR Optimum alerted their customers of this personally. When I asked Optimum who I should speak with (Optimum or Apple) the rep acted like she could no longer hear me and hung up on me. Yes, she changed everything so that it no longer says "weak security"...but when it says this, apparently, it's like you are NOT connected to wifi and the data you use is NOT unlimited. To me, it seems like this would be the cable/internet provider's responsibility to notify their customers...but if it all happened due to an iOs upgrade to 14....then I feel Apple should have been just as responsible. I now know that I have been paying for the best wifi connection with no actual connection since this update!!!!!

Please read the thread posts above yours; if your Wi-Fi connection shows "Weak Security" it's because your router supports encryption protocols older than WPA2, and you should shut them off if possible.

It doesn't mean anything new is wrong, it's just telling you of an issue that was there all along.

It all depends upon how TP Link implemented things.

On older routers, sometimes selecting WPA/WPA2 but with an encryption mode of AES would be how you selected WPA2 only as originally WPA didn't support AES.

Unfortunately, other vendors came up with "hybrid" modes like WPA but subbing AES for TKIP, which is, as you state, still insecure.

This one is laid solely at TP Link's feet; if they can't do WPA2 only then yes, a new wireless access point/router will be required to get rid of the message.

You need to forget the network and reconnect after changing any router settings. And WPA2 Personal should be secure as long as it isn’t WPA/WPA2 Personal.

Your question has been answered several times; you need to make sure your router only enables WPA2/AES encryption or stronger.

WPA2-Personal should be secure. You may need to forget the network on your phone, then reconnect to the router after changing the router settings.

If your provider refuses to provide you with a secure router you can always buy a router to replace theirs. Or replace your provider.

Interestingly, today I had two iPhones no longer showing “weak security”, but my iPad still showing “weak security”. All were connected to the same Deco M9 network. All running iOS 14.3.

Both iPhones were placed in Airplane mode overnight, so I turned Wi-fi off and on on the iPad ... and the “weak security” message disappeared.

There have been no software changes made to the Deco M9 software since December 11th.

I wonder if the router make and model is a factor in the variance seen by different customers, or if either the router or the Apple devices cache certain information in some way for a period of time, regardless of “forget this network” processes, device reboots etc.

I do think that changing the encryption setting on my Deco M9s a few weeks ago, forgetting network on iPhones and iPad, rebooting everything and re-entering wi-fi credentials (all on Sunday) were useful steps - it may just be that the effect was not immediately apparent for some unknown reason.

I don’t have enough information about the software used on the Apple devices or the TP-Link Deco M9s to identify what code was responsible for the behaviour witnessed on the Apple devices.

Davydee wrote:

Gina

The message is caused by an IOS update

because my ipad was not updated to the same software IOS14 as my Iphone and it did not give me this message Now Updating Ipad I get this message and all the settings on router have not changed

so Im not concerned

The message is not CAUSED by an iOS update. If you see this message your router has always had weak security. However, a NEW FEATURE in iOS 14 checks your router’s security, so now you know your router is not configured correctly.

You shouldn’t be concerned if you don’t care that your router can easily be hacked from outside, have malware installed on it, can allow criminals to access your Internet traffic and take over security devices connected to your router.

Since you changed the settings have you tried removing the network from the list of your preferred network and adding it back?

• How to forget a Wi-Fi network on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac - Apple Support
• Connect to Wi-Fi on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

In general, if your router is more than 5 years old you should probably replace it. Older routers are vulnerable to many hacks, and unless the manufacturer releases updates periodically (and you install them) there are other risks beyond weak security.

GreenfrogCT has the right of it. Just restarting your router may fix the problem, as in some routers the DHCP daemon crashes periodically and stops working, so rebooting the router restarts it.

Another thing to check is to go to Settings/Wi-Fi, tap on the i next to the network name and turn off Private Address. This is a security feature, but it is not compatible with routers that have MAC filtering (AKA Access Control) enabled, which limits use of the router to known devices whose Wi-Fi address is registered with the router.

Your router is using a security protocol that is outdated and no longer considered secure.