With an .htaccess file, you shall specify how the server which manages the requests to your websites have to act a number of cases. This is a text file with directives that are performed when somebody tries to open your Internet site and what happens next depends on the content of the file. For instance, you may block a certain IP address from opening the website, so the server will decline your visitor’s request, or you can forward your domain name to a different URL, so the server will redirect the visitor to the new web address. You may also use custom-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, like WordPress, Joomla™ and Drupal™, use an .htaccess file to operate properly.