diff --git a/.htaccess b/.htaccess
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6af108f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.htaccess
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+<Files "image_metadata.json">
+Deny from all
+</Files>
+
diff --git a/index.php b/index.php
index 6300fe8..29631b0 100644
--- a/index.php
+++ b/index.php
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ function generate_unique_id() {
 function ensure_directory_exists($dir) {
   if (!file_exists($dir)) {
     mkdir($dir, 0755, true);
+    $filename=$dir."index.php";
+    file_put_contents($filename,"");
   }
 }
 
@@ -470,4 +472,4 @@ function previewImage(event) {
       }
     </script>
   </body>
-</html>
\ No newline at end of file
+</html>