# 1.To use URL Alias you need to be running apache with mod_rewrite enabled. 

# 2. In your abantecart directory rename htaccess.txt to .htaccess.

# 3. If abantecart installed in web-server subfolder change  RewriteBase /  by RewriteBase /subfolder/

# 4. if htaccess and mode_rewrite still does not works - check and set apache2 webserver directive AllowOverride All for your virtual hosts

# For any support issues please visit: http://forum.abantecart.com

Options +FollowSymlinks

# Prevent Directoy listing 
Options -Indexes

# Prevent Direct Access to files
<FilesMatch "\.tpl">
Order deny,allow
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>

# SEO URL Settings
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule ^(.*)\?*$ index.php?_route_=$1 [L,QSA]