What Is Captive Portal?

Here is something which you should know and apply before accessing a public network. We are here to explain why users must view and interact with a captive portal webpage. It's like the DMV, but it's worthwhile. A captive portal is a web page you see when you want to use the internet at an airport or if you're at work and your company has blocked all access to the internet except for what they provide. It's also how your phone company stops websites from showing up on your phone unless you pay them money. We'll get to that in a minute! A captive portal ensures that only people who have paid for the privilege can use their internet connection. So if they didn't pay, they'd have to sit through some sales pitch before they get their time on the internet, which probably involves ads, unless they're using one of those super expensive cable connections with no ads. Captive portals are usually made up of two parts: a login screen (where you enter your username and password) and an advertisement/sales pitch screen (where you either click "buy now" or "continue without paying"). Captive portals are like the bouncer of the internet. They're there to ensure you're a good, honest citizen in the right place and doing the right thing. They provide that no criminals enter your house, so you can rest assured that your belongings will not be stolen or damaged. When you use a public wifi hot spot, airport lounge, or business center, there's always a chance that some shady character has managed to sneak in without paying for the privilege. That's where captive portals come in. They ensure that only people who are supposed to be there can get in and no one else.