in reply to Encrypt perl script

Encryption requires the existence of a secret (e.g. a key), yet the only way there can be a secret and still be able to execute the program is if you have to enter the secret when you launch the program. Is that what you want, or do you want obfuscation?

There are lots of post on the latter on PerlMonks. You should find them by doing a Super Search using the terms you used in your subject.