apache - .htaccess file not being read ("Options -Indexes" in .htaccess file not working)

Question

I created an .htaccess file with only the following line:

Options -Indexes

However, the index is still shown for the directory.

I just installed Apache2 and am using all the defaults (I did not modify apache2.conf or httpd.conf).

OS: Ubuntu 12.04 (Precise Pangolin)
Apache2 version: Server version: Apache/2.2.22 (Ubuntu) Server built: Feb 13 2012 01:51:56

$ ls -l .htaccess
-rwxr-xr-x .htaccess

EDIT:

I took lanzz's advice and added gibberish to the .htaccess file, and discovered that the .htaccess file is not being read.

Answer 1

You should check that the Apache config allows for the .htaccess to be executed. In your virtualhost config, there should be a line:

AllowOverride All

If there isn't, that's why the .htaccess isn't taking effect.