topic Re: Captive wifi in Tech Help - Software/Hardware etc

Captive wifi

VH3 — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 16:21:48 GMT

My in-laws WiFi has recently started asking for them to login each time they want to use their Broadband. It brings up a page that says Captive WiFi. I have looking up similar issues and followed their suggestions but nothing changes

Re: Captive wifi

pvmb — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 16:30:49 GMT

@VH3

That's not their home router's Wi-Fi.

Captive portal - Wikipedia

Re: Captive wifi

VH3 — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 16:33:15 GMT

Yes it is.
If you turn the router off it disappears.
I've logged into the router and it looks ok.

Re: Captive wifi

pvmb — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 16:36:32 GMT

@VH3

What router are they using? Is it the PN supplied one? What IP address is it at? Are the login credentials those supplied by Plusnet?

Re: Captive wifi

jab1 — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 16:43:28 GMT

@VH3 If that page is the one in @pvmb 's first link, either the in-laws have inadvertently 'got there', or someone/something has tried hijacking their system - I can't think how or why, but I wouuld suggest they try running an anti-virus and/or malware scan.

Re: Captive wifi

VH3 — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 16:45:07 GMT

Plusnet Hub Two supplied by PN.

Re: Captive wifi

pvmb — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 16:49:57 GMT

@VH3

Then something, somewhere, is seriously wrong IMO.

This sounds as if it might(?) be a network or PC takeover of some kind. Dummy router set up to capture login passwords etc. Even a hijacked router, borked and flashed with new firmware (is that even possible over the net?).

That is NOT a Plusnet Hub 2 router - even if it once was.

Re: Captive wifi

VH3 — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 16:47:24 GMT

It all started after the ned person on the account died and so it had to be changed to the other partners name. Doesn't help that we are only visiting atm and it's an older forgetful person

Re: Captive wifi

VH3 — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 16:48:01 GMT

*named person

Re: Captive wifi

VH3 — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 16:54:59 GMT

The page it brings up to login from is not the same as the link provided earlier. I have a photo of the page but can't see how to upload it .

Re: Captive wifi

VH3 — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 17:01:18 GMT

This router has been here for 2 or 3 years (according to the in-law) and was working properly until recently.

Re: Captive wifi

pvmb — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 17:03:21 GMT

What does it look like If the browser is set to address: http://192.168.1.254/

Like this? -

Re: Captive wifi

VH3 — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 17:04:48 GMT

I get a Plusnet page of information

Re: Captive wifi

jab1 — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 17:04:48 GMT

@VH3 wrote:
The page it brings up to login from is not the same as the link provided earlier. I have a photo of the page but can't see how to upload it .

To attach the screenshot, click the 'paper-clip' at the bottom left, just below the reply window.

Re: Captive wifi

VH3 — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 17:07:19 GMT

I'm working on my Android phone, and there is no paperclip showing. There's an I in a circle with File attachment limits written next to it but no paperclip

Re: Captive wifi

pvmb — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 17:07:52 GMT

You also may need to check on the user's PC what the settings are for the Network DNS.

Re: Captive wifi

VH3 — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 17:08:12 GMT

Is there anyway Plusnet can look directly at the router from their end?

Re: Captive wifi

VH3 — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 17:09:29 GMT

They don't have a PC only an iPad and phone

Re: Captive wifi

Dan_the_Van — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 17:11:08 GMT

Can I suggest you use file attachments, as images have to be approved..

Re: Captive wifi

jab1 — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 17:11:54 GMT

@VH3 No, I don't think PN can directly interrogate your router.

To attach an image on a phone. you need to change from the mobile to desktop view.