An image-based CAPTCHA scheme exploiting human appearance characteristics

Abstract

CAPTCHAs Are Automated tests that are there to avoid misuse of computing and information resources by bots. Typical text-based CAPTCHAs are proven to be vulnerable against malicious automated programs. In this paper, we present an image-based CAPTCHA scheme using easily identifiable human appearance characteristics that overcomes the weaknesses of current text-based schemes. We propose and evaluate two applications for our scheme involving 25 participants. Both applications use same characteristics but different classes against those characteristics. Application 1 is optimized for security while application 2 is optimized for usability. Experimental evaluation shows promising results having 83% human success rate with Application 2 as compared to 62% with Application 1. © 2012 KSII.