With an .htaccess file, you shall define how the server that manages the requests to your Internet sites should act in various scenarios. This is a text file with directives that are performed when someone tries to open your website and what happens next is determined by the content of the file. As an illustration, you may block a specific IP address from accessing your website, so the server will decline the visitor’s request, or you can redirect your domain to an alternative URL, so the server may redirect the visitor to the new web address. You may also use custom error pages or secure any part of your site with a password, if you place an .htaccess file in the correct folder. Many widespread script-driven applications, like Drupal™, Joomla™ and WordPress, use an .htaccess file to operate correctly.