☛ htaccess files are configuration files of Apache Server that provide a way to make configuration changes on a per-directory basis. A file, containing one or more configuration directives, is placed in a particular document directory, and the directives apply to that directory, and all subdirectories thereof.

☛ These .htaccess files are used to change the functionality and features of Apache web server.

For instance, htaccess file is used for url rewrite.

–> It is used to make the site password protected.

–> .htaccess file can restrict some ip addresses so that on restricted ip addresses, the site will not open.