With an .htaccess file, you will define how the web server that handles the requests to your websites should act in various occasions. This is a text file with directives that are performed when someone tries to open your Internet site and what happens next will depend on the content of the file. For instance, you can block a certain IP address from opening your website, therefore the server will decline your visitor’s request, or you can redirect your domain to a different URL, so the server will redirect the visitor to the new web address. You can also use custom error pages or shield any part of your Internet site with a password, if you place an .htaccess file in the correct folder. Many widespread script-driven applications, including Drupal™, Joomla™ and WordPress, use an .htaccess file to function efficiently.