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Our iPads let us know we have weak security. Comcast told us we have to buy their router to not be weak. It would cost us $14 every month. Do we have to do that ?

Our iPads let us know we have weak security. Comcast told us we have to buy their router to not have weak security. That is for a cost of $14 a month. Is that the only way to not have a weak signal?

iPad, iPadOS 15

Posted on Oct 31, 2022 7:35 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 31, 2022 7:42 AM

If you examine the precise wording of the any security or privacy warnings, you’ll be able to determine the likely cause…


If you are concerned about iPad warnings concerning weak security, or other elements of your WiFi setup, your WiFi network may benefit from update in either settings or improved hardware...


Following update to iPadOS15/16, your iPad is now better able to [warn] bring to your attention security deficiencies of your WiFi network, iPad settings, or other elements that may impact security and privacy.


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/iPadOS14/15 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.



1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 31, 2022 7:42 AM in response to Elaine0400

If you examine the precise wording of the any security or privacy warnings, you’ll be able to determine the likely cause…


If you are concerned about iPad warnings concerning weak security, or other elements of your WiFi setup, your WiFi network may benefit from update in either settings or improved hardware...


Following update to iPadOS15/16, your iPad is now better able to [warn] bring to your attention security deficiencies of your WiFi network, iPad settings, or other elements that may impact security and privacy.


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/iPadOS14/15 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.



Our iPads let us know we have weak security. Comcast told us we have to buy their router to not be weak. It would cost us $14 every month. Do we have to do that ?

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