.htaccess and protection againts overload

RewriteRule bad request

[Maleville]

Hi!
In an .htaccess on a forum I found this:

RewriteCond %{HTTP_USER_AGENT} Fetch\ API\ Request [OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_USER_AGENT} Offline\ Explorer [OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_USER_AGENT} Offline\ Navigator [OR]

Anyone has an idea for the purpose of these conditions?

[jdMorgan]

Well, technically, it would depend on what the RewriteRule that followed those RewriteCond directives does.

However, those specific user-agent names are spoofs of legitimate user-agents, and/or are often used to harvest e-mail addresses or download entire sites. So the RewriteRule probably generates a 403-Forbidden response to block them.

Jim

[Maleville]

Thank's Jim.
Yes this was find in a RewriteRule to a 403 forbiden. I'm going to try those tricks.