What does "captive portal" mean?

Modified on Tue, 12 Sep, 2023 at 1:12 PM

A captive portal is a commonly used login tool for businesses like restaurants and hotels who want to collect information about the users of their WiFi in return for letting the guests use their WiFi.


This is how it works:
You see a WiFi without password protection that you click to connect to – either via Instabridge or your native WiFi manager. Once you are connected to the WiFi you are directed to a page in your browser before you are able to access internet.


Usually, you are asked to fill in information like your e-mail address, asked to log in with Facebook, Google or Instagram, or sometimes – more rarely – simply click on a button to connect.