File Clarification

Hello+

I have the free version of WordFence (version 7.5.9) installed on my site and I received notice from my hosting that the “.htaccess file is being deprecated effective October 2022” & needs to be removed.

I’ve looked at the file and it says the following:

***begin .htaccess file code***

# BEGIN WordPress
# The directives (lines) between "BEGIN WordPress" and "END WordPress" are
# dynamically generated, and should only be modified via WordPress filters.
# Any changes to the directives between these markers will be overwritten.
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule .* - [E=HTTP_AUTHORIZATION:%{HTTP:Authorization}]
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
</IfModule>

# END WordPress

# Wordfence WAF
<IfModule mod_php5.c>
	php_value auto_prepend_file '/nas/content/live/digandhold/wordfence-waf.php'
</IfModule>
<IfModule mod_php7.c>
	php_value auto_prepend_file '/nas/content/live/digandhold/wordfence-waf.php'
</IfModule>
<Files ".user.ini">
<IfModule mod_authz_core.c>
	Require all denied
</IfModule>
<IfModule !mod_authz_core.c>
	Order deny,allow
	Deny from all
</IfModule>
</Files>

# END Wordfence WAF

***end .htaccess file code***

Since this .htaccess file code mentions Wordfence, then I assume this file is on my site because I am using Wordfence – correct?

If so, then can this file be safely removed from the site without breaking the site and without breaking the Wordfence functionality?

Please let me know if you need any additional information.
Please advise. Thank you, +ES