[Gambas-user] A couple of ?s about encryption

[mikeB]

eGreeetings,
I am starting a project that involves encryption of passwords and user 
names - storing and recalling them.

1st ? = i noticed Gambas can save and recall files from a ".hidden" 
directory. If the files are encrypted before
saving to a hidden dir - how secure is this?  In other words would an 
experienced coder be able to find and
copy these files? Would this be the secure/ recommended way/ place to 
store these files?

2nd ? = shelling out to the "gpg" command line to encrypt / decrypt the 
password files be a secure way of
doing this or is there a better way (i.e. writing the encryption code 
within the Gambas project)?

3rd ? = Now a GNU question from a real newbie on this subject. With this 
type of program (Protected Passwords)
how in the heck could it be released under GNU? Or should it be? Don't 
understand how it could possibly be
"protected" if the source code was available to all?

Any suggestions, from the group, would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!
mikeB