A method and apparatus are provided for protecting confidential information. The method includes the steps of providing a plurality of files where each file contains at least one item of secret information, such as a password for a private account. Access to the plurality of files is password protected with a master password. To access the plurality of files, the master password must be entered into a master password entry field. The files are deleted upon successive entry of incorrect passwords into the master password entry field a predetermined number of times.