CAPTCHA
an online test designed so that humans but not computers are able to pass it, used as a security measure and usually involving a visual-perception task:
Site visitors must solve the “distorted text” CAPTCHA before posting comments.
a computer program that generates such tests.
Contemporary Examples
Called “CAPTCHA,” it’s essentially a test that’s easy for a human to complete, but difficult or impossible for a computer to do.
The ESPN Porn Scam Douglas Rushkoff July 21, 2009
noun
a computer-generated squiggly-letter test that must be typed in by Internet/Web users to prove they are human
Examples
In order to send an email about a New York Times article, the site makes you type in a captcha.
Word Origin
by 2001; acronym for Completely Automatic Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart
security
A type of test used to determine whether a request to a web site comes from a human or a computer program, typically by asking the user to perform some kind of image recognition task such as reading distorted text. The term was coined in 2000 by Luis von Ahn, Manuel Blum, Nicholas J. Hopper (all of Carnegie Mellon University) and John Langford (of IBM) as a contrived acronym for “Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart”. CAPTCHA aims to prevent software tools from performing actions which might degrade the service, such as registering user accounts or automating the playing of a game.
(2009-01-02)
Read Also:
- Caption
a title or explanation for a picture or illustration, especially in a magazine. a heading or title, as of a chapter, article, or page. Movies, Television. the title of a scene, the text of a speech, etc., superimposed on the film and projected onto the screen. Law. the heading of a legal document stating the […]
- Captionless
a title or explanation for a picture or illustration, especially in a magazine. a heading or title, as of a chapter, article, or page. Movies, Television. the title of a scene, the text of a speech, etc., superimposed on the film and projected onto the screen. Law. the heading of a legal document stating the […]
- Captious
apt to notice and make much of trivial faults or defects; faultfinding; difficult to please. proceeding from a faultfinding or caviling disposition: He could never praise without adding a captious remark. apt or designed to ensnare or perplex, especially in argument: captious questions. Historical Examples “That canoe may not belong to the cutter,” said the […]
- Captivate
to attract and hold the attention or interest of, as by beauty or excellence; enchant: Her blue eyes and red hair captivated him. Obsolete. to capture; subjugate. Historical Examples You are enamored of them; they captivate you with their uncouth glamors; towards them you are drawn, eh? The Wolf Cub Patrick Casey It was, indeed, […]
- Captivating
to attract and hold the attention or interest of, as by beauty or excellence; enchant: Her blue eyes and red hair captivated him. Obsolete. to capture; subjugate. Contemporary Examples Olympia Snowe is starring as Hamlet these days, captivating and frustrating audiences in Washington and across the country. Snowe Removal Samuel P. Jacobs October 25, 2009 […]