Easy ways to "Avoid getting hacked"(AKA, Identity protection)
1. Don't put personal information about yourself on the internet. If you use Facebook or Twitter, don't use your full name.
2. Run scans of your computer frequently. Not just a virus scan though, not all malware is a virus!
3. Check your credit report at least once a year.
4. Keep your bank on a tight leash, and keep in contact with them! If something is wrong on your account, speak up!
And all that stuff will not prevent malicious code being executed if you haven't disabled the Java plugin.