[javascript] Easiest way to mask characters in HTML(5) text input

Look up the new HTML5 Input Types. These instruct browsers to perform client-side filtering of data, but the implementation is incomplete across different browsers. The pattern attribute will do regex-style filtering, but, again, browsers don't fully (or at all) support it.

However, these won't block the input itself, it will simply prevent submitting the form with the invalid data. You'll still need to trap the onkeydown event to block key input before it displays on the screen.