[Gimp-user] How to make an area of an image "blurry" or "erased"...?

[rhimbo <forums gimpusers com>]

Hi folks,

Graphics newbie here...  

I would like to make part of an image blurry or unreadable.  I have photos of an
automobile and I would like to blur the license plate prior to posting online.

I wasn't sure of the proper terminology so my searches didn't yield anything
obvious to me.

Can I create a layer first?  Then do I make a rectangular selection and do
something to that selection?

Any guidance is welcome...!

Many thanks in advance.....

-- 
rhimbo (via www.gimpusers.com/forums)