CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

A captive portal is primarily used to force clients to complete an authentication process before they gain access to the internet or network resources. This mechanism is typically encountered in public Wi-Fi environments, like coffee shops or hotels, where users must agree to terms of service or provide credentials such as a username and password. By using a captive portal, network administrators can ensure that only authorized users gain access, which enhances network security and helps manage resource usage.

This authentication process can also be used for collecting user information, tracking usage, or enforcing policies, thus playing a crucial role in controlling how individuals connect to and use the network. The other choices, while related to network management, do not accurately describe the primary function of a captive portal. Enhancing internet speed and managing bandwidth are separate functionalities that do not pertain to the authentication requirement that a captive portal addresses. Automatic device connections refer to different networking technologies, such as DHCP, rather than the specific process facilitated by a captive portal.