Connecting to public wifi hotspots

[Ron Fish]

On 02/17/2013 02:22 PM, Colin Law wrote:
> On 17 February 2013 20:09, JD <jd1008 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 17, 2013 at 1:01 PM, Karl Auer <kauer at biplane.com.au> wrote:
>>> On Sun, 2013-02-17 at 12:46 -0700, JD wrote:
>>>>> Basically, what I would do in your position is go through each step
>>>>> Firefox is going through and see at which point it fails.
>>>> What are asking is something I challange anyone to accomplish
>>>> without having a source code debugger with with step function.
>>> Not at all.
>>>
>>> You can check the DNS situation using dig:
>>>
>>>     dig www.google.com any
>>>
>>> This will show you everything found in the DNS for the name
>>> "www.google.com". Look for records of type A and AAAA. Then try
>>> connecting to those addresses literally (put the IPv6 addresses in
>>> square brackets).
>>>
>>> That's a start...
>>>
>>> Regards, K.
>>
>> Well, apparently, you are not aware of the entire thread.
>>
>> The problem I presented is that Using Ubuntu and firefox,
>> I am unable to connect with open hotspots because most
>> of these hotspots require that you open the browser, which
>> automagically to the hotspat's start page (I do nto not know how, perhaps
>> via a directive from the hotspot's server),
>>   where you must agree to their terms and conditions, before
>> you are allowed to go beyond their start web page.
>> So my problem has nothing to do with getting to me browser's
>> default home page. It has everything to do with why the ubutu
>> firefox doe snot behave as it behaves on windows when it comes
>> to connecting through hotspots.
>> I hope this make it clear to everyone :)
> When you open the browser it attempts to open your home page (or
> perhaps the page you had open last).  This should be redirected by the
> hot spot to its login page (or some similar technique), it is that
> operation that others are attempting to help you analyse to find out
> what is going wrong.  If you ask for help it is important that you try
> and follow the advise provided or those trying to help will get bored
> with your protestations and go away.
>
> Colin
>
If he can open a terminal and ping yahoo.com then the browser is not 
getting along with the hotspot software. most likely it is failing on a 
certificate check from the hotspot. In firefox go into edit > 
preferences > advanced > encryption > validation  and uncheck OCSP.

Ron