.htaccess is a small text file which is placed either directly inside a domain folder or inside a subfolder to tell the web server how it has to manage requests when an Internet site or a folder which is part of it is accessed. Lots of widespread scripts including WordPress and Joomla™ use an .htaccess file. If you get a lot of fake traffic to your website, for instance, you'll be able to block the access of particular IP addresses and third-party websites, or you may request the visitor to type in a username and a password to be able to see the content. You can also set up URL forwarding or use custom error pages for your website, prevent other sites from linking to your content directly and from using your account’s traffic quota, etcetera. An .htaccess file gives you far more control over your websites and the way they operate.