With an .htaccess file, you shall determine how the web server which deals with the requests to your web sites must act a number of situations. This is a text file with directives that are executed when someone tries to open your site and what happens next depends on the content of the file. As an illustration, you could block a particular IP address from opening the Internet site, so the server will decline your visitor’s request, or you can forward your domain name to an alternative URL, so the server may redirect the visitor to the new web address. You can also use custom error pages or secure any part of your website with a password, if you place an .htaccess file in the correct folder. Many popular script-driven apps, like Drupal™, Joomla™ and WordPress, use an .htaccess file to function efficiently.