The present invention provides encryption techniques useful with digital watermarking payloads. One claim recites: a method to secure a first digital watermark payload and a second digital watermark payload through encryption of only one of the first digital watermark payload or the second digital watermark payload. The method includes: utilizing a multi-purpose computer processor configured to: provide information redundantly in the first digital watermark payload and the second digital watermark payload, yet the first digital watermark payload includes at least some information that is unique relative to at least the second digital watermark payload; encrypt the first digital watermark payload; embed a first digital watermark in media, the media representing audio, imagery or video, the first digital watermark comprising the encrypted first digital watermark payload; and embed a second digital watermark in the media, the second digital watermark comprising the second digital watermark payload. Of course, additional claims and combinations are provided.