I'm afraid advice like this really is pointless. The security being applied would only be of use if you had already taken all the steps neccessary to lock down your mac including turning file vault on which will cause a notable slow down in file access. The only data unique to virtual memory would be data not stored as files or cached file data on the mac, in addition since it only contains the recent state of memory the information it contains is exceedingly limited. Using secure virtual memory for the vast majority of users will simply provide a false perception of security with a loss in performance from the additional processor overhead it requires.

For those of a paranoid disposition - other than having a chat with your dr - I suggest you take a look at:
http://www.nsa.gov/snac/os/applemac/I731-006R-2007.pdf
Which gives comprehensive advice on how to properly secure your mac.

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DrD wrote:
I'm afraid advice like this really is pointless.

First of all, there's no noticable hit. And of course this is just one peg in the many holes to fill of Apple's default installation. That NSA guide is good, albeit way out of the realm of most users' level of comfort. I agree with the fact that it's useless to issue an entire article about a tick box as meaningless as this without properly briefing the audience, but it helps nonetheless. My machine is locked-down NSA style, but there's still the layer that cannot be fixed, patched, or made more secure: you're using software whose source you have not examined. Windows, AIX, HP-UX, etc. all have this problem. It comes down to trust, as all things do, eventually.