Raq_Apache_dot_htaccess

[Adrian Portsmouth]

Dear List,

I am experiencing a problem with my web site and I am not 100% sure whether
it is Apache or FreeBSD related.

I asked a forum to comment on my web site and one of the users there
reported that his Norton Firewall (Using Firefox 1.0) blocked access to my
web site stating "Raq_Apache_dot_htaccess" which was claiming that I was
attempting to intrude in his computer. Of course I am not doing any such
thing so I began to investigate.

When searching for information about this threat it became clear that the
original problem was related directly to Cobalt RAQ servers, as I am running
FreeBSD 4.7 I was a bit confused. I delved further into the RAQ problem and
it pointed out some code which should be in the httpd.conf file, so I have
checked and ensured that this code was in place:

<Files ~ "^\.ht">
    Order allow,deny
    Deny from all
    Satisfy All
</Files>

I have restarted Apache and checked that the .htaccess file can no longer
been seen from the browser, I then asked the guy to retest and he is still
getting the same problem.

So I had no choice but to go out and buy a copy of Norton, I installed it,
made sure the software was fully up to date. I then rebooted the machine and
called the web site up in a variety of browsers and I cannot get the same
problem!

I know that the person who reported this is not messing about as he has sent
me screenshots of the pop-up by Norton so I am basically stumped now.

Has anyone else on FreeBSD had this issue and found a fix? The web site is
in the signature if anyone on the list has Norton Firewall and can see if
they can replicate the problem.

My machine is FreeBSD 4.7 running PHP 4.3.9 on Apache 1.3 I have root access
to the machine but cannot upgrade BSD, only install ports etc. The only time
I use .htaccess on the web site is for Mod Rewrite which is not doing
anything special.

Thanks in advance for your help.

============================================
Adrian Portsmouth
.htaccess Manager - SilkPHP
[e] service at htaccessmanager.com
[w] www.htaccessmanager.com
============================================

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