I have never personally suffered any infection myself but I always advise computer users, especially novice users to be prepared for it. I like using a sandbox environment since I occasionally download and test freewares and trialwares. Sure, I use reputable sites but why risk getting infected? People get hit when they are least expecting it anyhow.
First scenario is using a virtual machine to create a sandbox environment. There are free vm apps but still the process can be a bit time-consuming and challenging for most novice users.
Therefore, I recommend using a simple volume/directory encryption software to secure your most important files (of course, have a backup elsewhere too). I have used SafeHouse in the past but I started using LaCie and have been quite happy with have efficient and simple it is.
Quote:
1. Download this standalone freeware (supports Windows and Mac):
https://www.lacie.com/support/mobile.../safe-encrypt/
2. Extract the downloaded .zip file onto the drive/flash drive where you want to run it
3. Run the executable to complete the simple configuration (selecting size of the volume to be used and password to unlock it)
4. Once the encrypted/secure volume is created, running the executable in later sessions will unlock that volume and mount it as a new drive. Copy your confidential files there. When done using this secure volume, do not forget to unmount it before shutting down your computer. You don't have to but it may throw an error during reboot/shutdown process and you can just click out of it.
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See screenshots which explains the process of accessing the encrypted data in later sessions. In my case, I created the recommended size which is 50 GB on my Corsair Flash Drive which has a capacity of 250GB.
In all fairness, it is very unlikely that most anyone will need more than 50GB for their private, confidential, important data. I keep the freewares and download apps, etc. on the same flash drive in separate, unsecured folders as can be seen in the screenshot. This app can be used to create secured and hidden directories even on your local drives as well, you just have to keep a copy of the application folder, and run it from that drive/partition. The application folder can be moved/copied somewhere else and secured data can still be accessed using the password during setup.
Imo, there is no point in securing those as they can be replaced/re-obtained. Again, this is NO meant to secure irreplaceable data, it is merely so if the data/drive is lost, it will not be compromised/accessed by someone else.
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No, no, no, always go the other way with each password reset. Might I recommend "passwords' instead? 
