With an .htaccess file, you can determine how the web server which handles the requests to your websites have to act in a variety of cases. 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. As an example, you can block a particular IP address from accessing the website, therefore the server will decline the visitor’s request, or you can redirect your domain name to another URL, so the server may direct the visitor to the new web address. You can also use customized error pages or shield any part of your Internet site with a password, if you place an .htaccess file in the correct folder. Many widely used script-driven apps, like Drupal™, Joomla™ and WordPress, use an .htaccess file to work properly.