I was wondering, for a person with bad credit is it wise to pay full years worth of rent.?

I don't have grand credit (surprised i got this Verizon phone hehe), but i'm ready to move out, i lived on my own when i was in the military. In the military jacked up my credit though, being young and dumb. I read a few people saying that it is bad to pay the full year or half the year because something can happen and the landlord can kick you out. I was more curious that what if you and the landlord sign some kind of agreement guaranteeing protection on both behalf's. I just don't want to get jipped out my money, nobody does, so i was wondering if anyone have pointers?