Complete Guide to .htaccess Files

Among the various tools and methods available for customizing your web server, the.htaccess file is a great asset.

Perhaps the simplest and most straightforward tool used by webmasters today, it can dictate the way a site runs and operates “under the hood.” With a few simple additions to your .htaccess file, you can reset the document types quickly, do easy URL redirects, parsing engine and many other useful features for managing and smoothly running a website.

Anyone hoping to effectively manage their website will need to know how to manage their .htaccess file. So, we’ve put together this beginner’s guide to serve as a comprehensive resource for using .htaccess.

We tried to cover everything you need to know about .htaccess and its many use cases. You’ll learn the basics as well as see specific code samples with a brief explanation for practical implementation of each one.

Sound good? Let’s get started.

• .htaccess definition: What is it?
• Using .htaccess
• Document Errors
• Redirects
• 301 vs. 302
• Password protection
• Block the visitors through IP address
• Block the visitors through referrer
• Hotlink prevention techniques
• To block offline browsers and ‘bad bots’
• DirectoryIndex uses
• To add MIME types
• Enabling SSL using .htaccess
• Enable CGI outside the cgi-bin
• Disabling the directory listings
• Setting server timezone
• Change the server signature
• To prevent the access to your PHP includes files
• Prevent access to php.ini
• To force the scripts for displaying as source code
• To ensure media files are downloaded instead of being played
• To Set up Associations for Encoded Files
• Preventing the requests containing invalid characters
• Useful Resources
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