fter contacting my host, they tell me, that the software in question [yours], should have it's own .htaccess file to govern all folders and subsequent child processes.
Thats not completely true, you see the .htaccess file is part of "apache server" and not "PHP".
This is what I meant when I told you each host has it's own rules.
Well the good thing is they allow you to use/mod it. The bad part is you'll need to learn about it. This is a good fast tutorial,
http://www.java.scriptkit.com/howto/htaccess.shtml*** Edit ***
once you have read that and know how to save/name and a little about how they work try this and see if it works.
# for your-server-path/phpBB2/captcha/pics order deny,allowdeny from allallow from localhost 127.0.0.1allow from your.IP.here
You have to keep your forum as safe as you can, this will allow the server and you access to that folder. By placing it there you will not effect any higher .htaccess, thats important as helter says you can't see the others! I sent you to find one included in the forum package yesterday!
As you may notice it would be easy for a php coder to block all but the server.
But for him to add just you ?