Bob Willis National Technology Committee Wireless Networks and Routers Bob Willis National Technology Committee

2017 October Regional Mtg - Minneapolis Public WiFi Usage Prior to this past tax season AARP Tax- Aide Sites were permitted to use a site’s unsecured Public WiFi Network. Using a Netis WISP Router was one of last year’s recommendations to create a Secure network at these sites. Unfortunately using the Netis WISP Router proved troublesome. In spite the Netis issues, compliance was 90% last year. 2017 October Regional Mtg - Minneapolis

Secure Network Progress In TY 2016 90% of Tax-Aide networks were secure networks Network Agent data 13% of Survey Addendums mentioned setting up secure networks, 50% of those failed due to Netis issue with WISP. 2017 October Regional Mtg - Minneapolis

Unsecured Network usage 314 Tax-Aide sites identified as using insecure Wireless access during tax preparation (Network Agent data) 280 identified to a “site” listed in the Portal (cross match agent geographic data to portal address) 2017 October Regional Mtg - Minneapolis

2017 October Regional Mtg - Minneapolis What is WISP? Wireless Internet Service Provider A wireless router that can attach wirelessly to a wifi network, to obtain internet access. That internet connection is then distributed wirelessly to the client computers via a secured Tax-Aide network. 2017 October Regional Mtg - Minneapolis

2017 October Regional Mtg - Minneapolis Netis Router 500 Netis routers were used this season, 300 used regularly during tax season Few successfully used the Netis in WISP mode. Numerous others failed trying to use WISP mode Many successfully used the Netis with a wired internet connection to create a secure private network For Next Season Netis Router will only be recommended for Wired Internet connections 2017 October Regional Mtg - Minneapolis

Netis router is not a “standard” NTC does NOT create “standards” NTC documents best practices and recommendations TCS and TCs can choose their own router. The Netis router works well when used with a wired internet connection. It does not work well in the WISP mode with a wireless internet connection. The TP-Link Wisp routers have proven successful in Tax-Aide use when a wireless internet connection is needed. 2017 October Regional Mtg - Minneapolis

Allowed/Encouraged -Public WiFi Usage Internet Personal Systems Library/Building Public Wifi Wisp Router, Extender, PC Public Library Systems Tax-Aide Laptops 2017 October Regional Mtg - Minneapolis

Connecting to a Public WiFi Assume the Host site provides an insecure wireless network Use IAC (Windows 10) Computer Additional computers may be requested via your TCS and OneSupport Use a WISP TP-Link router (Model 802M or 810M). Use a Range Extender with a Router You can use a Hotspot (This should be a last resort) Hotspots are easy to use but in numerous cases are not the best solution Hotspots are last on this list due to cost We need to find less costly options as much as possible to cut back on their usage 2017 October Regional Mtg - Minneapolis

NTC Recommended Site Configurations 2017 October Regional Mtg - Minneapolis

Most Common WiFi Setup - with Wired Site Connection Site Network Modem Wireless Laptop Wireless Network Printer Wireless Router Wireless Laptop Network Printer USB cable Wireless Laptop Printer connected to single laptop 2017 October Regional Mtg - Minneapolis

Public WiFi with Windows 10 “IAC Laptop” Site Public Wifi Wireless Printer Laptop that Supports Hosted Networks Wireless Laptop Wireless Laptop 2017 October Regional Mtg - Minneapolis

Public WiFi with WISP Router Site Public Wifi TP-Link WR-802/810 WISP Router Wireless Laptop Wireless Printer 2017 October Regional Mtg - Minneapolis

Public WiFi with Range Extender & Wireless Router Modem Wireless Laptop Range Extender/Wireless Router Wireless Router Wireless Network Printer Wireless Laptop Wireless Laptop Wired Network Printer 2017 October Regional Mtg - Minneapolis

Verizon “MiFi” HotSpot Verizon Jetpack Wireless Laptop Wireless Printer 2017 October Regional Mtg - Minneapolis

2017 October Regional Mtg - Minneapolis Questions?? 2017 October Regional Mtg - Minneapolis