1. If I encrypt my wallet but before doing so save the unencrypted .dat to a usb stick, will that .dat still remain password free even after I encrypt the wallet on my PC or will it also become encrypted?
The wallet file on usb stick will be password free. Encryption only affects ("locks") the wallet active.
2. Is there a way for a hacker to steal my .dat via virus and if so how common/easy is it to do?
If your device/storage is compromised, there are various ways for someone to gain access and retrieve your files. This is why it's important to protect your wallet as much as possible - encryption is one of those precautions.
3. Will I still be able to stake my coins if I encrypt my wallet (not as important)
I recently had cmd pop up randomly and close in a second so I disconnected my PC from the internet immediately and am writing this post because I want to be safe, my wallet says that my coins are still there but it's not synced now so I'm not sure how accurate it is.. I also did a deep scan and my computer found 4 suspicious files. So you could say I'm shitting myself.
If anyone who knows about these questions can answer I will appreciate it thanks
Bitcoin wallets don't stake... but yes, encryption doesn't prevent you from staking coins for those that do. So that's not a reason to not encrypt.I recently had cmd pop up randomly and close in a second so I disconnected my PC from the internet immediately and am writing this post because I want to be safe, my wallet says that my coins are still there but it's not synced now so I'm not sure how accurate it is.. I also did a deep scan and my computer found 4 suspicious files. So you could say I'm shitting myself.
If anyone who knows about these questions can answer I will appreciate it thanks
If you suspect your devices might be compromised, I'd recommend you clean that device and transfer out to new wallet. Even with encryption, if the hacker also gained your seed, he could just recover the wallet elsewhere and access your coins
Thanks this helped me a lot!!