## Problems You will encounter when using .htaccess files (Can't see the .htaccess file)

You can't "see" your .htaccess file.

- HTTP
  The web server is typically configured to deny requests for `.htaccess` files. For example, the file corresponding to the URL, http://cscie12.dce.harvard.edu/.htaccess exists and is readable by the Web server, but if we try to follow the link, we get a 403 Forbidden response.
- UNIX
  The `ls` command will not list files or directories that begin with a '.' (dot). In order to see the `.htaccess` file when you do a directory listing, use the -a (all) option:
- SFTP
  Sometimes your SFTP program will hide the "dot" files unless explicitly told to show them.