A SEMINAR ON CAPTCHA

Presented by:
ABHINAY MAURYA B.Tech 3rd Yr.

Contents

Introduction & History Examples of Captcha Types of Captcha Characteristics of Captcha Applications Benefits and Drawbacks Reference

Introduction
A CAPTCHA is a program that can generate and grade tests that humans can pass but current computer programs cannot. For example, humans can read distorted text, but current computer programs can't read it:

A CAPTCHA is a type of challenge-response test used in computing to ensure that the response is not generated by a computer. The process usually involves one computer (a server) asking a user to complete a simple test which the computer is able to generate and grade.

History of Captcha

The term "CAPTCHA" was created in 2000 by Luis von Ahn, Manuel Blum, Nicholas J. Hopper of Carnegie Mellon University. CAPTCHA code was created to stop automated computer spam robots from filling out forms, harvesting email addresses, and then sending out countless spam emails.

CAPTCHA
Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart

Example of Captcha

Some Weak CAPTCHAs

From Paypal

From Yahoos Briefcase

Some CAPTCHAs that may be too hard for people

From Yahoo:

From Passport:

Types of Captcha

Text Based Graphic Based Audio based

Text Based Captcha

Graphic Based CAPTCHA

Audio Based CAPTCHA

- Pick a word or a sequence of numbers at random - Render them into an audio clip - Distort the audio clip - Ask the user to identify and type the word or numbers

Characteristics
A CAPTCHA system is a means of automatically generating new challenges which: - Current software is unable to solve accurately. - Most humans can solve - Does not rely on the type of CAPTCHA being new to the attacker.

Applications
Free e-mail services * Online polls * Dictionary attacks * Newsgroups, Blogs, etc
*

Benefits

The database already exists and is public The database is constantly being updated and maintained Adding concrete objects to the dictionary is virtually instantaneous Distortion prevents caching hacks Quick expiration limits streaming hacks

Drawbacks

Not accessible to people with disabilities (which is the case of most CAPTCHAs) Relies on Googles infrastructure Unlike CAPTCHAs using random letters and numbers, the number of challenge words is limited

Reference
1. www.google.com 2. www.wikipedia.com 3. www.answer.com

Make your own CAPTCHA

A web site that offers you the means:

www.codeproject.com/KB/aspnet/ CaptchaImage.aspx
For a general tutorial see:

www.theopavlidis.com/technology/ captcha/tutorial.htm

THANK YOU