What does captcha mean Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈkæptʃə/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart, a type of challenge-response test used to determine whether the user is a human or a computer.

Examples

• The website required users to complete a captcha to verify their identity.
• Captchas are often used to prevent automated programs from accessing a website.

Synonyms

• Verification code
• Challenge-response test

Antonyms

• Authentication bypass
• Security vulnerability

Additional Information

Captchas are commonly used to prevent spam and automated programs from accessing a website or online service. They typically involve a visual challenge, such as recognizing characters or objects in an image, or an audio challenge, such as identifying a sequence of sounds.

Captchas can be frustrating for users, especially those with visual or hearing impairments. However, they are an effective way to prevent automated programs from accessing a website or online service.

There are different types of captchas, including text-based captchas, image-based captchas, and audio-based captchas. Each type has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of captcha depends on the specific use case.

Etymology

The term “captcha” was coined in 2000 by Luis von Ahn, Manuel Blum, Nicholas J. Hopper, and John Langford. It is a combination of the words “Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart.”

Usage Notes

Captchas are commonly used in online services, such as email providers, social media platforms, and online banking systems. They are also used in online forms, such as registration forms and comment forms.

Captchas can be used in different contexts, such as to prevent spam, to prevent automated programs from accessing a website, or to verify the identity of a user.

Cultural References

Captchas have been referenced in popular culture, such as in the TV show “The Big Bang Theory” and in the movie “The Social Network.”

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

“To solve a captcha” means to complete a challenge-response test to verify one’s identity.

Related Words or Phrases

• Verification code
• Challenge-response test
• Authentication

Collocations

• Captcha challenge
• Captcha test
• Captcha verification

Frequency of Use

Captchas are commonly used in online services, and the term “captcha” is frequently used in online contexts.

Common Misspellings

• Captia
• Captacha
• Captch