With an .htaccess file, you can determine how the web server which addresses the requests to your Internet sites have to act in various occasions. This is a text file with directives that are executed when somebody tries to open your site and what happens next depends on the content of the file. As an illustration, you can block a specific IP address from opening the site, which means that the server will decline your visitor’s request, or you can forward your domain to an alternative URL, so the server will redirect the visitor to the new web address. You may also use custom-made 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 applications, like Drupal™, Joomla™ and WordPress, use an .htaccess file to work correctly.