What is the purpose of using htaccess for password protection in PHP websites?

Using htaccess for password protection in PHP websites helps to restrict access to certain directories or files by requiring users to enter a username and password before they can view the content. This adds an extra layer of security to the website and helps protect sensitive information from unauthorized access. ``` AuthType Basic AuthName "Restricted Area" AuthUserFile /path/to/.htpasswd Require valid-user ```