How to prohibit access to the .htaccess files themselves?

To prohibit access to the `.htaccess` files themselves, you should configure your web server to deny any direct access to these files. This is crucial because `.htaccess` files contain important configuration rules and sensitive information that should not be exposed to the public. Below is an explanation of how to achieve this in Apache and Nginx, along with examples and sources.

Apache Web Server

In Apache, you can prevent access to the `.htaccess` file by adding directives to your web server configuration or inside an existing `.htaccess` file. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Edit the `.htaccess` File: Add the following lines to your `.htaccess` file:

\`\`\`apache Require all denied \`\`\` This block of code uses the `` directive to target the `.htaccess` file specifically and the `Require all denied` rule to block all access to it. Example: \`\`\`apache Require all denied \`\`\`

1. Modify the Apache Configuration File: Alternatively, you could add a similar block within the main Apache configuration file (`httpd.conf` or `apache2.conf`), which might offer more centralized control:

\`\`\`apache Require all denied \`\`\`

Nginx Web Server

Nginx does not use `.htaccess` files and therefore controls access through its primary configuration files. To block access to `.htaccess` files when using Nginx, use the following steps:

1. Edit the `nginx.conf` or Custom Site Configuration File: Add a location block to deny access to files named `.htaccess`:

\`\`\`nginx server { … location ~ /.ht { deny all; } … } \`\`\` This `location` directive uses a regular expression to match any file that starts with `.ht` and then denies access to it. Example: \`\`\`nginx server { listen 80; server\_name example.com; location / { root /var/www/html; index index.html index.htm; } location ~ /.ht { deny all; } } \`\`\`

Sources:
1. Apache HTTP Server Documentation:
2. Nginx Documentation: [https://nginx.org/en/docs/http/ngx_http_core_module.html#location](https://nginx.org/en/docs/http/ngx_http_core_module.html#location)

Examples:

- Apache: If your server root directory is `/var/www/html`, here’s a comprehensive configuration:

\`\`\`apache Require all denied \`\`\` This setup will prevent anyone from accessing `.htaccess` files within `/var/www/html` and its subdirectories.

- Nginx: Here’s a simple site configuration for `example.com` stored in `/etc/nginx/sites-available/example.com`:

\`\`\`nginx server { listen 80; server\_name example.com; location / { root /var/www/example.com; index index.html; } location ~ /.ht { deny all; } } \`\`\` This configuration ensures that any files starting with `.ht` in `/var/www/example.com` will be inaccessible to clients.

By following the above guidelines, you can secure your `.htaccess` files from unauthorized access, ensuring that your server’s configuration remains protected.