use Tie::EncryptedHash; tie my %s, Tie::EncryptedHash, 'passwd'; $s{foo} = "plaintext"; # Normal field, stored in plaintext. print $s{foo}; # (plaintext) $s{_bar} = "signature"; # Fieldnames that begin in single # underscore are encrypted. print $s{_bar}; # (signature) Though, while the password # is set, they behave like normal fields. delete $s{__password}; # Delete password to disable access # to encrypting fields. print $s{_bar}; # (Blowfish NuRVFIr8UCAJu5AWY0w...) $s{__password} = 'passwd'; # Restore password to gain access. print $s{_bar}; # (signature) $s{_baz}{a}{b} = 42; # Refs are fine, we encrypt them too.