Introduction
People wonder why they are requested to prove to a computer that they are human, while some others even find it annoying. As an internet user, you must have encountered the puzzle-like test that require you to prove that you are human before you can proceed to continuing your online tasks. The rumors that Google is collecting data for a future human versus robotic events are typically untrue. This act of proving that you are human has for long been in practice. Even human proving their being human to another human have started since the 1950s where a human judge will ask you a bunch of questions, and your answers will determine the judge’s decision whether you are human or a machine (robot). Mailing websites get thousands of new account sign-ups every second of the day. For the company to be sure that some of the sign-ups are not being initiated by a robot or a software program, security verification is usually prompted, and you will be instantly be required to verify that you’re not an artificial user.
For example, you try to sign up for a new Gmail account, such security prompts usually pop up on your screen, for you to prove you are human before you proceed.
The objective of this article is to enlighten all internet users who are yet to know the reason behind the prompt to prove you are human even while using your own computer. To also let you know the meaning of the words CAPTCHA and reCAPTCHA that are associated with the verification prompts.
What are the different scenarios where we are asked to prove that we are humans?
The list below are common cases where we are asked to prove that we are human.
- Account Signup/Login: When signing up for or logging into an account, you are sometimes asked to complete some security verification to enable you proceed.
- Purchases or Transactions: During online purchases or financial transactions, such security verifications may also appear, to confirm that you’re not a bot.
- Online Forms: While filling out forms on websites, especially those involving sensitive information or large-scale data entry, you may as well encounter such verification prompts.
- Comment Sections or Forums: To prevent spam, you might need to complete a verification challenge when posting comments or participating in discussions.
All the above scenarios, where we are being asked to prove that we are human usually appear or pup up in a puzzle-like format know as CAPTCHA or reCAPTCHA.
CAPTCHA is a term that was coined in 2003 by 4 Computer scientists Luis von Ahn, Manuel Blum, Nicholas J. Hopper, and John Langford. It is a type of puzzle–a response test intended to distinguish human input from that of machine, spam or bot, typically as a way of thwarting unauthorized intrusion, and illegal data extraction from websites.
CAPTCHA vs reCAPTCHA: Traditionally, the CAPTCHA mainly uses text-based challenges or inputs, which requires users to decipher distorted or scrambled characters (letters). While reCAPTCHA deals mainly with images. It offers a more advanced approach, incorporating image-based captchas using real-world images and analyzing user behavior to distinguish between human users and robots.
Conclusion
Different kinds of mare ware programs are being developed and launched every day. Symmetrically, the invention of the various anti-spam software and security programs, are also being improved upon, to keep the internet safe for everyone.
Therefore, whenever you encounter a prompt requiring you to respond to a CAPTCHA or reCAPTCHA before you proceed, it’s because Google or the web security service is proactively out to foil a suspected activity or a possible hacking being initiated. These security tests are vital procedures to perform while navigating webpages on the internet.
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