With an .htaccess file, you will determine how the web server that addresses the requests to your web sites must act in a variety of occasions. This is a text file with directives that are executed when someone tries to open your site and what happens next is determined by the content of the file. For example, you may block a certain IP address from accessing your website, which means that the server will decline the visitor’s request, or you can redirect your domain name to some other URL, so the server will direct the visitor to the new web address. You may also use tailor-made error pages or protect any part of your website with a password, if you place an .htaccess file in the correct folder. Many popular script-driven apps, such as Joomla™, WordPress and Drupal™, use an .htaccess file to work efficiently.