With the fast development and wide application, laser has been important tool in science exploration and modern military war, but laser damage and laser threat is more and more serious. The study of laser protection technology and laser protection materials has caused the attention of the world, and has gained the fairly progress. The application of laser technology in military affairs, national defence, medical treatment etc. and threat from laser on the eyes and photo electronic sensor are summarized. Protective methods and principles are reviewed, laser protection material advantage and disadvantage are compared based on linear optics principle and nonlinear optics principle, and finally the developing trends of laser protective materials are briefly respected.