Can anyone suggest some good tech help sites with good details for using encryption programs? Something that a home user can use - not just a system administrator. I've never used encryption software before, so I'm really new to it.

Also, with technology advances now, is it just about mandatory for a home user to encrypt any passwords or sensitive files kept on the pc. For instance, my ISP doesn't allow secure connections. So, does that mean that every time I log on or log into my email, that a hacker could snag my passwords?

If your ISP doesn't allow secure connection, that's the first leak to plug.

Keep your PC free of malware.

As to encryption, XP allows you to to encrypt files/directories on NTFS drives.

for usage:

cipher /?
[enter]

If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

M2

you can see EASEUS Data Security Wizard