We ask that customers complete a CAPTCHA test when they sign up for our website. How can we make sure that it is a test they can pass?
CAPTCHA - the Completely Automated Public Turing Test To Tell Computers and Humans Apart - is a process that protects websites against automatic programmes that roam the internet trying to set up accounts on them.
A distorted image of a character sequence is the most common form and the website user has to type what they see to pass the test.
AbilityNet head of accessibility Robin Christopherson says that many humans cannot decipher the distorted image either. “If you have a vision impairment, dyslexia or learning disability you may be unable to crack the code,” he explains.
The most common alternative, says Christopherson, is an audio version of the image that speaks the characters, as used by Google and Microsoft, which provide a second chance at deciphering the code. However, the audio distortion needed to obscure the code from malicious programmes can make it almost impossible to hear - even for those with no hearing impairment.
He says other options include logic problems in text form - not suitable for users with cognitive or learning disabilities - or a browser plug-in system, for which the customer needs to use the Firefox internet browser.
There is a good reason for using CAPTCHA codes, as it means only legitimate customers can sign up to your site. While there is no perfect solution, offering a range of ways to pass the test should minimise the shoppers unable to complete it.
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