What is CAPTCHA

Definition of CAPTCHA

CAPTCHA stands for "Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart." It is a security mechanism used on websites to differentiate between human users and automated bots. CAPTCHA tests are designed to be easy for humans to solve but difficult for bots to understand.

How CAPTCHA Works

CAPTCHA typically presents users with challenges such as identifying distorted text, selecting images that match a description, or solving simple puzzles. Bots struggle to complete these tasks due to their reliance on automation, while humans can easily recognize patterns and provide correct responses.

Types of CAPTCHA

Common types of CAPTCHA include:

• Text-based CAPTCHA: Users type out distorted or warped text displayed on the screen.
• Image-based CAPTCHA: Users select images that match a prompt, such as "Select all the images with traffic lights."
• reCAPTCHA: A Google-powered CAPTCHA that often requires clicking a checkbox or performing simple tasks to verify human presence.

Purpose of CAPTCHA

The main goal of CAPTCHA is to prevent automated bots from engaging in malicious activities like spamming, fraud, or gaining unauthorized access to online services. CAPTCHA helps secure websites by ensuring that actions are performed by real humans.