To protect yourself against ticks you could avoid tick infested areas. However I'm not willing to give up my walks in the woods so a few precautions are in order. Always wear long pants with the cuffs tucked into socks. Apply an insect repellent containing DEET to socks, pants and exposed skin areas. Wear a hat.
Ticks have difficulty grabbing on to tightly woven slippery materials such as nylon.
Wear light-colored clothing so ticks are more easily seen and removed. After outings, shower and shampoo and check entire body. Wash clothing immediately in hot water. Attached ticks should be removed immediately by grasping the tick with fine tipped tweezers where the head enters the skin. Pull the tick straight out with slow steady pressure.