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Weak security

After the latest update for my iPad my wifi alert showed “security weak”. Little worried as I don’t know how to change to a WPA2 setting?



iPad, iOS 9

Posted on Nov 5, 2020 3:07 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 5, 2020 3:21 AM

Your iPad is no less secure today than it was prior to the update to iPadOS14. However, your iPad is now better able to [warn] bring to your attention security deficiencies of your WiFi network and iPad settings.


This support page will describe the more secure (recommended) settings for WiFi:

Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points – Apple Support


It is possible that your WiFi Router is too old to be (or not capable of being) configured for more secure settings. As such, you can either configure the most secure settings that your Router will support - or replace your Router with something more advanced that provides better security configuration options.


TKIP is old and insecure - and was deprecated many years ago; it should be disabled in deference to much better WiFi security protocols. Whilst WPA3 is the newest standard, you should aim to use WPA2 (AES-PSK) as a minimum.


You’ll need to consult your specific WiFi Router configuration documentation to determine how to update your router settings or firmware. If the router was supplied by your Internet Service Provider, they may have a support webpage that provides appropriate guidance on accessing and updating settings.


There is a also new privacy feature included within iOS/iPadOS14 that hides your physical MAC Address - and instead uses a randomly selected Private MAC Address. This feature can be enabled/disabled on your iPhone/iPad for each configured WiFi Network. This feature also has bearing upon the appearance of the Weak Security notifications.


More information about this new feature can be found here:

Use private Wi-Fi addresses in iOS 14, iPadOS 14 and watchOS 7 – Apple Support


If you are unable to employ more secure security settings on your WiFi network, you might consider replacement of your WiFi network equipment, such as your WiFi Router, with more advanced equipment. However, if the router is provided by your ISP, this may not be practical proposition. A potentially cheaper and more flexible approach might be to add an additional upstream WiFi Router, of WiFi Access Point (AP) that meets the required standards.


I hope this information provides some helpful insight into ways to resolve the WiFi Security warnings that you might observe after updating to iPadOS14.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 5, 2020 3:21 AM in response to TPMJW2711

Your iPad is no less secure today than it was prior to the update to iPadOS14. However, your iPad is now better able to [warn] bring to your attention security deficiencies of your WiFi network and iPad settings.


This support page will describe the more secure (recommended) settings for WiFi:

Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points – Apple Support


It is possible that your WiFi Router is too old to be (or not capable of being) configured for more secure settings. As such, you can either configure the most secure settings that your Router will support - or replace your Router with something more advanced that provides better security configuration options.


TKIP is old and insecure - and was deprecated many years ago; it should be disabled in deference to much better WiFi security protocols. Whilst WPA3 is the newest standard, you should aim to use WPA2 (AES-PSK) as a minimum.


You’ll need to consult your specific WiFi Router configuration documentation to determine how to update your router settings or firmware. If the router was supplied by your Internet Service Provider, they may have a support webpage that provides appropriate guidance on accessing and updating settings.


There is a also new privacy feature included within iOS/iPadOS14 that hides your physical MAC Address - and instead uses a randomly selected Private MAC Address. This feature can be enabled/disabled on your iPhone/iPad for each configured WiFi Network. This feature also has bearing upon the appearance of the Weak Security notifications.


More information about this new feature can be found here:

Use private Wi-Fi addresses in iOS 14, iPadOS 14 and watchOS 7 – Apple Support


If you are unable to employ more secure security settings on your WiFi network, you might consider replacement of your WiFi network equipment, such as your WiFi Router, with more advanced equipment. However, if the router is provided by your ISP, this may not be practical proposition. A potentially cheaper and more flexible approach might be to add an additional upstream WiFi Router, of WiFi Access Point (AP) that meets the required standards.


I hope this information provides some helpful insight into ways to resolve the WiFi Security warnings that you might observe after updating to iPadOS14.

Weak security

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