The Captcha

Wikipedia defines a CAPTCHA as: “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. Because other computers are unable to solve the CAPTCHA, any user entering a correct solution is presumed to be human.”

The bold text outlines my frustration. We, the humans, or at least the ones the need for the CAPTCHA arise from are creating better computer algorithms which means the computers are getting smarter. Smarter computers means the CAPTCHA has to get harder. A more difficult to read CAPTCHA means I start failing the test, and I am assumed to be a computer.

It’s ridiculous and there has to be a better way. I’m failing these on a regular basis because the letters are so blurry and overlap. I’m sure they’ll come a time just the same where I’m still failing the CAPTCHA test, but the computer can understand it clear as day, it’s inevitable.