In what scenarios is it necessary to use htaccess to secure PHP includes, and when is it sufficient to rely on PHP file structure and coding practices for security?

When dealing with sensitive PHP include files, it is necessary to use htaccess to secure them if they contain critical information such as database credentials or API keys. This is because htaccess can restrict access to specific files or directories, providing an extra layer of security. However, if the PHP includes are not sensitive and do not pose a security risk, relying on PHP file structure and coding practices for security may be sufficient. 

# Example of htaccess to secure PHP includes
<Files "config.php">
    Order allow,deny
    Deny from all
</Files>

Keywords

htaccess PHP includes security file structure coding practices

Related Questions