With an .htaccess file, you'll determine how the server that addresses the requests to your Internet sites must act in various situations. This is a text file with directives that are executed when somebody tries to open your website and what happens next depends on the content of the file. As an illustration, you can block a particular IP address from opening your website, and the server will decline your visitor’s request, or you can redirect your domain name to another URL, so the server will direct the visitor to the new web address. You may also use personalized error pages or preserve 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 properly.