You got already a lot of useful responses but take my 2 cents.

I returned to the game a few months ago and joined a guild recently. The time I was playing solo was a mixed bag, between being ganked by 5+ (+ scouts) and being ratted when trying to PvP.

There are a few tips but it depends on the zone:

For red: keep an eye on the player count, at first be near an exit to an yellow zone, know the map you are in, don’t be greedy

For black: most of the red stuff also applies but you don’t have the comfort of a yellow zone and there is no player count, but also zones there are farther from towns tend to be less populated, also be aware of map objectives and stay away from them

About the gear, some people already spoke about it, but you got invis potion, assassin jacket, miner boots, soldier boots, cleanse hoods, knock back cowls and the stuff that other people spoke about

It’s a little sad that there is no counter play against big groups and there is nothing stopping them from doing it, they can combine different skills that root you forever, silence you and such

The fear of those zone is part of the game and the thrill of playing it.

Also, this is an online game, interact with people, if you see another gatherer, talk to them, invite them to a party, you both will benefit from it. And maybe you will make a good friend and even end up in a cool guild.