Issues connecting to public (retail) wifi hotspots with Kubuntu 14.10

[Michael Salsman]

I have started having problems since upgrading to Kubuntu 14.10 from Kubuntu 13.04.

This problem occurs when I connect to a retail wifi hotspot (Starbucks/McDonalds) which requires that I accept their terms on an initial web page before I am allowed to continue to the Internet.  The hotspots are open, do not use WEP or WPA/WPA2 and the Network Manager shows that I am connected.  When running ifconfig in a terminal, I show a valid IP address that I have obtained from their router.  I also find that I am not allowed to ping to an outside address, like 4.2.2.1.

I find however when starting a browser (Firefox or Chrome) that any of my tabs from a previous session time out, and that if I open a new tab and attempt to connect to a valid URL that it also times out.

I have no problems on my home wifi network, which is set up with WPA2 Personal.

I would appreciate any thoughts on troubleshooting or possible fixes.

Regards,

Michael Salsman

[Jeff Yamada]

Have you tried using a different DNS? Try using a public DNS like
Google's or OpenDNS's
OpenDNS
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
Google DNS
8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4

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[Janine Starykowicz]

I've had problems connecting to some of these on Windows. One place in particular, I make sure to launch Opera, and I only
use it to accept/log on. That way I have the URL needed (because it doesn't always pop up). Once you are connected, close
that browser and launch the one/s you normally use.

Janine

Michael Salsman wrote:
> I have started having problems since upgrading to Kubuntu 14.10 from Kubuntu 13.04.
>
> This problem occurs when I connect to a retail wifi hotspot (Starbucks/McDonalds) which requires that I accept their terms on
> an initial web page before I am allowed to continue to the Internet. The hotspots are open, do not use WEP or WPA/WPA2 and

> the Network Manager shows that I am connected. When running /ifconfig/ in a terminal, I show a valid IP address that I have

[Michael Salsman]

I now believe that I found that that sheer stupidity may have caused the problem.  I started looking at my settings for Firefox, and noted that at some point in the past, I had changed my preferences for Network, Connection to using System Proxy Settings instead of No Proxy.  I was able to connect at the local McDonalds, but need to try this at Starbucks and the Xfinity wireless at the local pizza pub.  I will advise in the next couple of days with hopefully my final feedback,

Thanks to everyone for their excellent suggestions.

Michael

[JAMES HARVEY]

OOoo I'll remember that one. I have most of my machines set to manual proxy from my firewall box.

 

--
The only difference between men and boys, is the price of their toys.

---

From: Michael Salsman <michael...@gmail.com>
To: luni-c...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2015 11:48 PM
Subject: [LUNI] Re: Issues connecting to public (retail) wifi hotspots with Kubuntu 14.10

[Michael Salsman]

I am going to have to retract my claim of a fix, but not that I am an idiot.  I've tried hotspots at Starbucks, Panera and Rosati's Pizza in Yorkville ... all of which do an inital redirect to a page that either requires a login, or acceptance of their terms of agreement before allowing you to connect to the Internet.

In all cases, I receive a lease on an IP address to the wireless router, but I cannot ping to any external known DNS provider like Google, etc.

I have now tried Firefox, Opera and Chrome with no success.  I am truely stumped, as my Chromebook works just fine at home, and as of last night at McDonalds.

I wonder if there is some issue with my routes, or with some sort of firewall that is blocking redirects, etc.

Any additonal help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks again for the ideas so far ...

Michael

On Friday, January 16, 2015 at 3:07:47 AM UTC, Michael Salsman wrote:

[Arun Khan]

On Mon, Jan 19, 2015 at 9:19 AM, Michael Salsman
<michael...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
..... snip ....

>> I have no problems on my home wifi network, which is set up with WPA2
>> Personal.

Most likely you don't have a Proxy server or a Captive Portal in your
home network setting and things work hunky dory.

>> I would appreciate any thoughts on troubleshooting or possible fixes.

I would expect most such places to provide some instruction on how to
connect to their respective WiFi services. Have you tried asking
them?

Some may force you through a Proxy with authentication (or transparent).

Some require that you are signed into their "Captive Portal" via your
browser. You should not close the tab. Without the captive portal
connection, *all* traffic is blocked from going to the WAN. I suspect
this is your case. At Red Roof Inn, their setup requires a "Captive
Portal" connection.

HTH,
-- Arun Khan