code: public static String encodePassword(final char[] password) {
          if (password == null) {
              return null;
          }
          final EncodedStringConverter converter = new EncodedStringConverter();
          return converter.toString(new String(password));
      }
docs: Encodes/obfuscates a password. Although this does not prevent actual
  hacking of password, it does remove the obvious threats of having
  passwords stored as clear text.
  
  @param password
  @return a String containing the encoded password