Weak security

Why is weak security showing on Rogers connection on 2 iPads however not showing on iPhone or computer

iPad, iPadOS 14

Posted on Jan 21, 2021 8:35 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 21, 2021 9:50 AM

Nothing is broken - but your WiFi network may benefit from update in either settings or improved hardware...


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. 


Whilst WPA3 is the newest standard, you should aim to use WPA2 (AES-PSK) as a minimum. Some Routers seemingly continue to support the insecure/deprecated TKIP standards - even when apparently configured for WPA2 operation; TKIP will definitely cause a security warning to appear. Be aware that if you are using a WiFi network extender, these may continue to use weaker security standards - and continue to trigger a warning.


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.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 21, 2021 9:50 AM in response to 2121weaksecurity

Nothing is broken - but your WiFi network may benefit from update in either settings or improved hardware...


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. 


Whilst WPA3 is the newest standard, you should aim to use WPA2 (AES-PSK) as a minimum. Some Routers seemingly continue to support the insecure/deprecated TKIP standards - even when apparently configured for WPA2 operation; TKIP will definitely cause a security warning to appear. Be aware that if you are using a WiFi network extender, these may continue to use weaker security standards - and continue to trigger a warning.


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.

Jan 21, 2021 8:45 AM in response to 2121weaksecurity

That simply means that your router is not set to the latest security - either. because it is an older model that does not have the latest options or because it was not configured to use them. Check the router setup website and/or contact your internet provider to see if it can be set up for the latest security or ask them if they have a newer model with better security.


Just so you know: you’ve always had weak security - you just did not know it; the latest OS simply now warns you about it.

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