A couple basic networking question

[JC0133]

1st. When I go to a coffee shop or like Barnes and Noble to study and I need to use the internet, sometimes when I connect to the free ATT network, when I pull up my web browser it automatically goes to the accept terms and conditions page. I have to agree to these terms and conditions to get access to the network.

But on some occasions it doesn't automatically pull up the webpage so I can accept the terms and conditions. When that happens I can't accept to use the network, even though my network access says I am connected to the free network.

Any ideas how I can fix or get around this issue?

2nd. I am having issues with an IM client timing out. When I first pulled it up, it said I needed to install flash. After I installed flash, now it just keeps timing out. I cut off/disabled my firewall just to see if that was causing the issue but it still keeps timing out? No clue why it is doing this.

 

[VirtualLarry]

When the accept page doesn't come up, try navigating to www.google.com in your web browser, or navigate to 1.1.1.1, that's a common portal page for wifi hotspots.

 

[John Connor]

This is a laptop? Try resting the TCP/IP stack since you have time outs in your IM as well. http://www.windows-secrets.co.uk/2013/08/repair-the-windows-87vista-tcpip-stack/

If that doesn't work see if there is an update to your WIFI card driver. uninstall the current one before installing a new one though.

If you do sensitive stuff on a public WIFI hot spot I would encourage you tgo use a VPN. I have PIA, but it kinda sucks in my use for the last two months. I would check out VPN.AC.

https://torrentfreak.com/which-vpn-services-take-your-anonymity-seriously-2014-edition-140315/

For IM's I use a program called Trillian. There's also Digsby.

 

[her209]

The page where you are required to accept the T&C's is called a captive portal.