Unresolved issue connecting my Mac to library Wi-Fi

[whiteboard]

The pain never ends...

When I travel back home, there is a local library that I am extremely dependent on because it is the only reliable way I have to access the Internet due to poor mobile coverage in the area, and no longer having access to a landline.

The problem is that while I am able to connect to the library's hotspot, macOS is not loading the "spalash page" where you have to click on a button saying "I agree" to the terms and conditions of the library.

Earlier this summer, this issue occurred on my retina MBP running macOS Sierra, but it has also been an issue with my older MBP running Mountain Lion and El Capitan.

The library staff is clueless about this issue, and I actually contacted the city - which is quite large - and I finally got a voicemail from their IT department saying that maybe I could arrange an appointment to look into the issue, but they never returned my messages and taht was months ago.

All of the obvious issues like browser settings (e.g. blocking pop-ups) do not apply here.

In another thread, after a lengthy discussion, I thought @iluvmacs99 had solved my issue when he said that he thought the issue was the fact that macOS Sierra had outdated SSL certificates, and the library's software was rejecting me based on this...

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/which-macos-to-choose.2299092/post-29969722


After learning about this, and upgrading to macOS Mojave, I had a slight reprieve from the issue, but now I am stuck again...

You see, after seeing that Mojave solved my library Internet issue, I decided earlier this summer to upgrade to Big Sur because @iluvmacs99 and others mentioned that Mojave was going out of support this Fall 2021.

Well, after upgrading to Big Sur earlier this summer, I am back to the same problem NOT being able to conenct to the library's Wi-Fi.

Because I have been out-of-state working, I just let this problem sit this Summer, but I am back home now, and this problem is causing MAJOR ISSUES in my life!!

What is going on????

How can Mojave allow me to connect to the library's splash-page and in turn conenct to the Internet with no issues, but now that I have installed Big Sur, it is the same problem all over again?

I cannot stress enough to anyone stumbling across this thread, that I am able to successfully connect to free WiFi across America, and I have had no issues accessing "splash pages" and accepting the Terms & Conditions of numerous sites offering free Wi-Fi.

I also have not had issues when I use other public libraries' free Wi-Fi which usually have spalsh pages as well.

So I don't believe this is my fault.

People may laugh at this situation, but combined with the fact that my mobile hotspot doesn't work in the area, and that I no longer have local ISP service, this is a major, major issue for me when I travel back home to visit.

Please help me solve this problem because I am getting desperate!!

 

[whiteboard]

Firefox 92.0
When I go into Firefox 92.0, I get this bar that appears which says, "You must log in to the network before you can access the Internet."

Then there is an "Open network login page" button next to that message. (This page is what I call a "splash page".)

When I click on that button, the page just relaods and says it cannot connect.


Safari 14.1.1
When I go into Safari 14.1.1, I get the default home page, and if I click on a widget (e.g. Wikipedia), the page relaods and says "This connection is not private. This website has an outdated security configuration, which may allow an attacker to steal personal or financial information entered into "www.wikipedia.org". You should go back to the pervios page."

If I click "Show details" I see...

"Safari warns you when a website uses TLS 1.0 or TLS 1.1, which are not secure. This may allow an attacker to compromise your connection to steal your personal or financial information, including passwords, phone numbers, and credit cards.

If you understand the risks involved, you can __visit this website__."

Of I click on the "__visit this website__" link, I just get another page stating "Safari can't open the page".


***********************

It sounds to me that the LIBRARY'S SSL CERTS are the ones that are outdated and NOT THE SSL CERTS ON MY MACS...

But if that is the case, then why was some stranger able to connect to the library's Wi-Fi with her Chromebook earlier this summer as a demo for me?

This entire situation is maddening!!!!!!!

 

[Ruggy]

A couple of ideas spring to mind that might help.
You have connected in the past and maybe for some reason it has got messed up.
Wifi settings get passed on when updating so it will have changed nothing.
Thus, it might help to delete the network from memory and then start again.
So go to the wifi icon in the task bar> network preferences>advanced then find your library network in the'wifi' list and delete it by seecting it then pressing the minus sign at the bottom
It may well present you with the correct screen next time you try.
Ive had something similar a couple of times and it's been the solution.
Another simple idea but one that can definitely have an impact: make sure your clock is set to the correct time. If there's a time difference it won't accept the certificate.
Hope that helps

 

[whiteboard]

A couple of ideas spring to mind that might help.
You have connected in the past and maybe for some reason it has got messed up.
Wifi settings get passed on when updating so it will have changed nothing.
Thus, it might help to delete the network from memory and then start again.
So go to the wifi icon in the task bar> network preferences>advanced then find your library network in the'wifi' list and delete it by seecting it then pressing the minus sign at the bottom
It may well present you with the correct screen next time you try.
Ive had something similar a couple of times and it's been the solution.
Another simple idea but one that can definitely have an impact: make sure your clock is set to the correct time. If there's a time difference it won't accept the certificate.
Hope that helps

That's not it.

Settings don't get passed from computer to computer or OS to OS.

 

[whiteboard]

How can I verify which TLS version the library and their splash page is using?

I've been Googling all day, but not being a ntework engineer, I haven't had any luck finding a way to do that which made sense.


P.S. I just installed Apple's latest security patch for Big Sur, and my OS is completely up-to-date now. Sadly, this didn't fix the problem at hand which points back even more to the library...

 

[Ruggy]

That's not it.

Settings don't get passed from computer to computer or OS to OS.

Well they do if you are only upgrading the software rather than re-installing and you may well have dismissed it on both computers and it's remembered it which is what's messed it up.
Good luck in any case.

 

[iBroke]

That's not it.

Settings don't get passed from computer to computer or OS to OS.

This is incorrect.

If you are signed into both devices with the same AppeID, and both have the data encrypted to their SOC (iOS) or t2/m1, and both devices have hashed this data with your passcode (ios) or password (macos), then it will pass this information.

post thought, there is a iOS/macOS requirements, cant remember the versions, but it covers the last few years.

 

[whiteboard]

This is incorrect.

If you are signed into both devices with the same AppeID, and both have the data encrypted to their SOC (iOS) or t2/m1, and both devices have hashed this data with your passcode (ios) or password (macos), then it will pass this information.

post thought, there is a iOS/macOS requirements, cant remember the versions, but it covers the last few years.

Nothing you just said has anything to do with what I have said above. So why are you muddying up this thread?

Any experts out there, or people from my original thread linked above?

I am desperate to get this issue fixed, and this is clearly a more advanced issue that I can't figure out on my own...

;-(

 

[iBroke]

Nothing you just said has anything to do with what I have said above. So why are you muddying up this thread?

I educated you on your mistake.

I do hope you stay salty, and you stay depending on other people to solve your issues though LOL.

Good for laughs