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Hotel and airport Wi-Fi

How to connect to networks with a sign-in page (captive portal) while FiveGuardian5 protects your device.

What a captive portal is

Many hotels, airports, coffee shops and conference centers show a web page before granting internet access: they ask you to accept terms, enter your room number or a code, or watch an ad. That page is called a captive portal.

Because FiveGuardian5 blocks internet access outside the office until the secure tunnel is up, and the tunnel cannot come up until you complete the portal, FiveGuardian5 gives you a temporary, time-limited window to complete that sign-in.

Step by step

  1. Connect to the hotel or airport Wi-Fi network.
  2. Wait a few seconds. Windows usually opens the sign-in page automatically. If it does not, open your browser and try to visit any simple website; you should be redirected to the portal page.
  3. Complete the portal sign-in (accept terms, enter your code, etc.) within the available time.
  4. Once the network grants access, FiveGuardian5 establishes the secure tunnel. If prompted, sign in to the VPN window with your company account.
  5. When the tunnel is connected, you have normal access to the internet and the organization's resources.
During the temporary window, use only the portal page. Do not try to browse or work until the tunnel is connected: all other traffic remains blocked.

If time runs out

The portal window is limited on purpose, so it cannot become a way to reach the internet unprotected. If it runs out before you finish signing in:

  • Disconnect from the Wi-Fi network and reconnect. This usually starts a new opportunity to complete the portal.
  • Have the details the portal asks for (room number, last name, access code) ready before reconnecting so you can complete it quickly.
  • If the problem repeats, follow the relevant section in Troubleshooting.

Tips for travelers

  • Before traveling, check that you can sign in to the VPN from home. This rules out account problems.
  • If the hotel network asks you to install software or a certificate to connect, do not do it. Use another network or your phone's hotspot.
  • Some portals remember your device for a while and then ask you to sign in again. If you lose connectivity the next day, repeat the steps.
  • If nothing works, tethering from your phone is usually a quick alternative; FiveGuardian5 protection works the same way.
  • To get help, take a screenshot of the message you see and note the time and the network name. See Support.