I tend to feel that expecting that I am protected is protection in itself, and to get overly paranoid about invoking protection would actually counteract my natural protection and weaken my instincts or sensitivities. I feel that needing to invoke protection is a sign that you are afraid and that is likely to leave you more unsafe...
It is funny because I don't feel particularly safe in the physical world, but in supernatural or paranormal areas I actually feel fine for the most part.
One thing I do lay down a rule with is Ouija Boards, and that is because I am not experienced or educated with them and only have all the urban legends to go by. Lol. In other words, my mind is more vulnerable to influence or trickery... So before starting I declare that when I light a certain candle, communication is open and when I blow it out it is closed - end of story. And maybe certain situations, if I feel vulnerable, I will request I be protected, and that is about it.
I feel that you can't be harmed unless you can firstly be tricked into believing that you can be harmed. (That is one of the things I love about the Devil card in the Tarot).
Am I being naive, or is the need to be protected over-dramatised? Or both?