With an .htaccess file, you shall specify how the web server that handles the requests to your websites have to act in a variety of situations. This is a text file with directives that are carried out when somebody tries to open your Internet site and what happens next depends on the content of the file. As an example, you could block a certain IP address from accessing the site, so the server will decline your visitor’s request, or you can redirect your domain to an alternative URL, so the server will redirect the visitor to the new web address. You can also use custom-made error pages or preserve any part of your website with a password, if you place an .htaccess file in the correct folder. Many well-known script-driven apps, including Drupal™, Joomla™ and WordPress, use an .htaccess file to work properly.