The title of this post would suggest I don't have a captive web portal (CWP) issue when connecting to an open SSID. I'd be lying and you would be too. They're a pain to deal with. Everyone has come up with their tricks. CWPs absolutely hate me. Not sure what I did but every device I own simply doesn't like them. The worst culprit for me was Southwest flights. The struggle was real. Was being the keyword.
A BIG shout out to our Aerohiive Support Center staff for this nugget I'm about to share. The next time you try to connect to an open Wi-Fi SSID and that pesky CWP doesn't popup, open any web browser and navigate to neverssl.com. BAM! Like magic that little guy is free to pop up and take your money or information.
How does this work? Let's read it from the horse's mouth.
"neverssl.com will never use SSL (also known as TLS). No encryption, no strong authentication, no HSTS, no HTTP/2.0, just plain old unencrypted HTTP and forever stuck in the dark ages of internet security."
Simply put, your browser needs to go to a website that isn't encrypted to trigger the redirection. Most websites, if they're smart, use HTTPS. Once your browser tries to call up a website it redirects you to a different web server displaying the CWP you've so long desired for.
Once you've dealt with whatever the CWP needed from you, you're free to move about the interwebs. Well, that's the theory anyway.
To the people who are responsible for paying for the domain and web hosting for the betterment of all mankind, I applaud you and thank you.
As a funny side note, here's what I never have to do again:
To the people who are responsible for paying for the domain and web hosting for the betterment of all mankind, I applaud you and thank you.
As a funny side note, here's what I never have to do again:
- Try to find an HTTP: website
- Open a new tab in incognito mode and try to go somewhere not HTTPS.
- Try every browser on the planet which I have three installed
- Connect, forget, connect, forget, connect and pray it pops up
- Turn off and on your wireless radio
- Renew your DHCP lease after you connect the first, second or tenth time
- When in doubt always reboot
- Give up and do something else with your life
Happy web surfing!
-Mike
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