A method and apparatus encrypting data for use by an application includes receiving a first clear data in a security application running concurrently with the application. The security application encrypts the first clear data to generate a first encrypted package and distributes the encrypted package for use by the application or by other applications running concurrently with the application. The security application also receives and decrypts encrypted packages from the application or one of the other applications to provide clear data for use by the application. The security application may be implemented as a data entry utility that can be accessed directly by the application.