An .htaccess file is a text file that contains directives that tell a web server how to operate in certain events. It needs to be placed in the folder in which these directives should be performed. Numerous script-driven apps employ this sort of a file to perform properly - WordPress and Joomla™, for instance. You can use this kind of a file with customized content too and do a wide range of things - block an IP address, a whole network or certain websites from accessing your site, set custom error pages which will show up rather than the server-generated ones in case a visitor encounters some error on the website, forward a domain or a subdomain to a new web address, set up a password-protected area and more. With an .htaccess file, you will have far better control over your online presence.