online application forms

[Agrippa]

Frequently in online applications you are asked to copy
a box containing difficult to read letter/number
combinations in irregular typeface.

What is the reason for this? Some I could not decipher
and had to restart.

[tim-pelican]

It's supposed to prove that you're an actual human, rather than a script somewhere trying to create accounts automatically, brute-force passwords, spam forums etc.

I fail them sometimes too, they're very annoying 

[Sprintex]

Annoying but necessary I'm afraid 

Seen some major spam-bot infiltration in the past on a car forum, takes a LOT of Moderator time to clear it all up 


Paul

[upnick]

They can be annoying but a lot now have a  box  to  click  on to hear the code which can be more helpful  if your having problems. 

[scotsoft]

As well as the box to listen to the letters there is another function you can click which gives you a fresh word.

Click that a few times and the word becomes easier to read 

cheers John.

[linuxyeti]

Hi

We use a slightly different method, instead of a scrambled image of 2 words, we have a simle maths question, such as 16 + 1 =

All you have to do is answer the maths question, much easier, I've seen others that use the simple question method, such as what colour is the sky.

Certain sites like Ticketmaster have done away with the blurry 2 word captcha  mechanism, just wish others would follow suit !!

Cheers

Tony

[Agrippa]

Thanks for all info, these boxes are a real  pain in the **** !