Alternatives to .htaccess?

Hi
I’m aware of the procedures for .htaccess but I’m
wondering ehat the options are in the following
circumstances.
I’m trying to restrict access to a folder in a domain to just
the folk inside one institution, and my home IP address. (
Trying to ‘roll my own as the institution facilities don’t really
meet my needs) I could use a password but the nature of
the users means this is adding an unwanted complexity.
As the address is in the form 10.xxx.xxx.200 what are the
options? Just a password and hope the machines always
have cookies enabled? If so what is the best? A PHP script
relating to a folder? Any newdie – level ideas appreciated!