diff --git a/index.js b/index.js
index 438f4c1..6311e40 100644
--- a/index.js
+++ b/index.js
@@ -1,6 +1,14 @@
 'use strict';
 const isObj = require('is-obj');
 
+const disallowedKeys = [
+	'__proto__',
+	'prototype',
+	'constructor'
+];
+
+const isValidPath = pathSegments => !pathSegments.some(segment => disallowedKeys.includes(segment));
+
 function getPathSegments(path) {
 	const pathArray = path.split('.');
 	const parts = [];
@@ -16,6 +24,10 @@ function getPathSegments(path) {
 		parts.push(p);
 	}
 
+	if (!isValidPath(parts)) {
+		return [];
+	}
+
 	return parts;
 }
 
@@ -26,6 +38,9 @@ module.exports = {
 		}
 
 		const pathArray = getPathSegments(path);
+		if (pathArray.length === 0) {
+			return;
+		}
 
 		for (let i = 0; i < pathArray.length; i++) {
 			if (!Object.prototype.propertyIsEnumerable.call(object, pathArray[i])) {
@@ -105,6 +120,9 @@ module.exports = {
 		}
 
 		const pathArray = getPathSegments(path);
+		if (pathArray.length === 0) {
+			return false;
+		}
 
 		for (let i = 0; i < pathArray.length; i++) {
 			if (isObj(object)) {
diff --git a/readme.md b/readme.md
index 398a738..1e2246a 100644
--- a/readme.md
+++ b/readme.md
@@ -85,6 +85,8 @@ Path of the property in the object, using `.` to separate each nested key.
 
 Use `\\.` if you have a `.` in the key.
 
+The following path components are invalid and results in `undefined` being returned: `__proto__`, `prototype`, `constructor`.
+
 #### value
 
 Type: `unknown`
diff --git a/test.js b/test.js
index f0b5084..48498ed 100644
--- a/test.js
+++ b/test.js
@@ -199,3 +199,10 @@ test('has', t => {
 	t.is(dotProp.has({'foo.baz': {bar: true}}, 'foo\\.baz.bar'), true);
 	t.is(dotProp.has({'fo.ob.az': {bar: true}}, 'fo\\.ob\\.az.bar'), true);
 });
+
+test('prevent setting/getting `__proto__`', t => {
+	dotProp.set({}, '__proto__.unicorn', '🦄');
+	t.not({}.unicorn, '🦄'); // eslint-disable-line no-use-extend-native/no-use-extend-native
+
+	t.is(dotProp.get({}, '__proto__'), undefined);
+});