Access Memo field and mySQL

2 questions:
1] I am converting an ASP/Access site to PHP/mySQL. I know Access, but am new to mySQL. If I have a MEMO field in Access to store lengthy paragraphs of text, what field type should I use in mySQL?
2] To store usernames and passwords in the mySQL database, how can I encrypt the password so it’s not stored in plain text (in a VARCHAR field)?