How to secure certain folders

[jardster]

I'd like to have certain folders on my HD be "secure." Ideally, the file names would be visible, but upon trying to open the files, you need to enter a password (one password for the who folder of files would be good). Also, any new files created and saved in that folder would then need to be opened with a password. I've looked around and can't find anything like this. Anyone know of anything. I've played a little bit with automator, but didn't see anything that fit.

Thanks