.htaccess - Was my htaccess hacked? -

i found these following lines in .htaccess file.. i've replaced website name example.com. didn't add .htaccess file...

authname "example.com" authuserfile "/home3/examplec1/.htpasswds/public_html/example.com/passwd" 

what , why added .htaccess file? possible has downloaded public_html file?

if did hacked, how prevent getting hacked again?

i did try protect folder(can't remember one) in cpanel, alter .htaccess?

this added hosting provider or has access environment. adding protection cannot harm you. removing or changing protection worse.