[geeks] cheap, secure wifi router?

[Sandwich Maker]

i've been wifi-free up to now, on security and privacy grounds, but now
i have - or rather my gf/so/dp has - a device for which wifi is the
only way to access the internet, so now i need a wifi router.
'secure' suggests one which can be loaded with one of the
'aftermarket' linux builds, but is that compatible with 'cheap'?
range isn't a problem; 20' would be a stretch, and the less the better
for security.

any suggestions?  what's out there?
________________________________________________________________________
Andrew Hay                                  the genius nature
internet rambler                            is to see what all have seen
adh at an.bradford.ma.us                       and think what none thought