[geeks] cheap, secure wifi router?

[Sandwich Maker]

" From: Mouse <mouse at Rodents-Montreal.ORG>
" 
" > 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.
" 
" Perhaps, but I see no reason to think `wifi' and `router' have to be in
" the same box.  (You may want them so, but I see no clear statement of
" that if so.)  Personally, I'd use a general-purpose computer with a
" wireless interface configured as an AP (whether built in or added on is
" of little import).

yes, i really need just a wifi ap, but using a computer would mean
adding a computer to my network; the only wifi-capable one presently
onboard is a w7 notebook, and while it can do 'peer-to-peer', the
device in question explicitly does not support that.

" > 'secure' suggests one which can be loaded with one of the
" > 'aftermarket' linux builds, but is that compatible with 'cheap'?
" 
" Actually, `secure' makes me immediately ask `secure against what?'.
" Passive snooping?  Non-malicious leeching of connectivity (neighbour
" freeloading or the like)?  Malicious leeching of connectivity
" (spamming, attacking other hosts, etc)?  Attempts to steal established
" connections?

secure against everything i can manage, which realistically probably
won't include everything that could be thrown at it.  but if i raise
the bar high enough, they'd have to be targeting *me* to keep at it.
half-a-dozen neighbor networks are detectable from my house.

" How easy it is to get a suitably secure system out of a given design
" may well depend on the threat model.

yes, i'd expect some to be more securable in some ways than others.
________________________________________________________________________
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