Can't access php files (of plugins) directly in browser. Why?

Can’t access php files (of plugins) directly in browser. Why?

I get a 404 error.

For example, if I try to navigate to my domain / wp-content / plugins / then the plugin folder / then the php file name … it display s a 404 error.

I’m just curious if this normal? Or is it a block on my server?

I created a simple php file and added it to one of my plugin folders. Then I tried to simply navigate to that php file in the browser. But it displays a 404 error.

There’s no .htaccess in my plugins folder or in my wp-content folder.

The .htaccess file in the root of my site is:

# BEGIN WordPress
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ – [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
</IfModule>
# END WordPress

So .. I’m just curious if this is the way things “should” behave, or if something needs to be changed to allow php files (in my plugin folders) to be accessible from the browser (or is this a security issue).

I’d appreciate any input or comments.

Thanks,
Gary