CRON job and password protected folders

[cronsrcs]

I have a PHP script that I am going to run on a daily basis to export some db tables to a csv file.

What would be the best way to protect the folders that the csv files are written to? I was thinking that htaccess might be the way to go....

Would I be correct in assuming that the PHP script that is run as a CRON tab should NOT be in the htaccess protected folder?

Thanks for any assistance/ideas

[logic_earth]

.htaccess protected folders are only "activated" when access via a browser though the web not the file system.

[cronsrcs]

Just to clarify - therefore can i put the actual script inside the password protected folder as well?

Thanks again

[logic_earth]

Yes.