Comments on: #15 So, do you think CAPTCHA is getting annoying?

By: Jamaal

Jamaal — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 06:06:39 +0000

I would like to add, that I am colorblind and I can’t read half of the captchas that are displayed to me. This is extremely frustrating on a work computer without speakers.

By: Jamaal

Jamaal — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 06:04:52 +0000

You can eliminate 99% of spambots simply by:
1. Create a javascript function that changes a hidden field using math.
2. Have the server side script verify the hidden field value.
3. If the value matches, then it works.

This technique wont be useful if your site is specifically targeted. It will only prevent the random spambots that hit as many sites as possible.

The captcha should only be used if you are being targeted, or if you are a very popular site. There is no need for a small site to annoy their users with a captcha.

By: Bruce C

Bruce C — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:35:02 +0000

Hey Dan, you asked all good questions. I don’t like the math equations, because spambots can also do math and better than people. Asking someone what 2+2 equals is not a smart move because spambots can also calculate. Most of web designers, I suppose, are just not computer programmers. So, I think CAPTCHA is better. What combination works best? How about numbers, uppercase letters, and lowercase letters, and at least one punctuation mark like S7e@9!q

Also, CAPTCHAs should be 7 characters long, which is not too annoying for people. 5 is just too easy for a spambot.

By: Dan

Dan — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 05:13:41 +0000

Hey Bruce, first, I need to ask, was there a podcast MP3 file that goes with this post? I’d be interested in hearing it but I don’t see a link.

Second, I agree that CAPTCHA is a necessary evil, and one that as a podcaster and blogger I don’t think is going to be replaced anytime soon. I have run forums and sites where I’ve had to lock down comments because they get overrun with spambots. But I’ve slowly integrated CAPTCHA systems into all of them in order to open them back up. Comments still have to go through spam filters and moderators, but I find less problems since doing this.

I would like to know what you think is the best combination for a CAPTCHA image. Also, do you think there is merit to those systems that use math or question and answers to provide that Human test versus reading an image?

Thanks,
Dan