what is the best way to store passwords and credit card information in SQL
Server 2005?

[quoted text, click to view]

In SQL Server 2005 has been introduced PKI infrastructure that permit you to
encrypt your sensitive data.
I wrote this article

http://www.visual-basic.it/articoli/lbSQLprotection.htm

It's in italian language but you can use the example (fortunately T-SQL is a
"world wide language" :-)) ) and with support of BOL you can achieve your
goals...

Bye

--
Luca Bianchi
Microsoft MVP - SQL Server
http://community.ugiss.org/blogs/lbianchi