diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 3174e35..a64cd0b 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
 *.pyc
-secure_config.py
+#secure_config.py
diff --git a/config/irc_config.py b/config/irc_config.py
index 7dd16f6..6ff02c8 100644
--- a/config/irc_config.py
+++ b/config/irc_config.py
@@ -22,4 +22,4 @@ REALNAME = "[[w:en:User:EarwigBot]]"
 CHANS = ["##earwigbot"]
 
 # hostnames of users who can update/restart the bot with !update
-ADMINS = ["wikipedia/The-Earwig"]
\ No newline at end of file
+ADMINS = ["wikipedia/The-Earwig"]
diff --git a/config/secure_config.py b/config/secure_config.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0db882e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config/secure_config.py
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8  -*-
+
+# EarwigBot Configuration File
+# This file contains information that should be kept hidden, including passwords.
+
+# IRC: identify ourselves to NickServ?
+NS_AUTH = False
+NS_USER = ""
+NS_PASS = ""