No, you should not need to pay someone to do this. But, if you just turned on the notebook and connected without putting in a passcode (that you had created on the computer connected to the wired ethernet while setting it up) then you are not encypted.
1) find out how to activate the 64bit or 128bit encyption -- make sure you are doing this on the desktop that is hard wired to the router (via Ethernet) not the notebook or other computer using wi-fi. You should be able to do this by entering a special web address into your browser (explorer) and this will take you to the set up screen for the wi-fi. Once you activate the encyption and enter the passcode no computer will be able to access your wi-fi without entering the passcode on that computer.
2) Also, you rename your network (SSID code). Linksys is normally called linksys until you rename it. For maxiumum protection you can elect in the setup to hide your SSID from broadcasting as an available wi-fi network. But then, when accessing the wi-fi with a notebook or desktop you will not see the SSID so I have not hidden mine.
3) Make sure you keep your wi-fi router firmware (Bios) up to date. You ONLY want to download and update the firmware via a hard wired computer (not via wi-fi) or the transmission could fail and you can mess the entire thing up. Up to date bios will give you the best possible connection.
Also, my notebook manufacturer had driver updates for Intel Proset and the Intel 2200b/g card so check your notebook website for updates as well.
Normally, most people set up a desktop next to the place where the cable or DSL comes out of the wall and set up the wi-fi router there) -- they hard wire the desktop (Ethernet) and then use wi-fi for up to 4 other computers or notebooks.
If you only have the one computer (notebook)do any setup when it is hard wired (ethernet)and then use it via wi-fi otherwise.
One last thing: You can create a more stable connection if you are only running 54G wi-fi by going into the wi-fi setup and selecting 54G only -- this will lock out 11b or 108mps signals but will give you the best signal for 54G--- if you have devices with varying signal speeds then don't activate this option.