verification code??

Just tried to post an Email, via the Web-Mail interface (Squirrelmail), & it has just asked me for a "verification code", which is a 6 character Alpha-numeric that is "hidden" inside a graphic!!

Trouble is, because it is trying to prevent Spammers, it uses this "graphic" of the code, but it is EXTREMELY difficult to read with the "naked eye". On occasions (because I've seen this before when I've posted from abroad), if there is either an "i" or a "j" in the code (plus various other combinations), these are virtually indistinguishable & I end having to try it many times before I'm successful.

Why can't PN introduce something that is easier to read by the "naked eye"??

Because then its easy to read with software (and spammer can get round it) ;-)

Ben

These are always a problem. The easier they are to read the easier it is to get round them. There is no ideal solution unfortunately.

Very true, but I'm not sure why they are being used for SquirrelMail. These sort of systems are good for anonymous posting, i.e. as an alternative to registering with a site to post, say, a comment. But for a webmail system you are presumably already logged in and 'known' to the system. So why have this extra and cumbersome authentication? Surely a username/password combined with a delay on the speed at which e-mail can be sent and some basic monitoring of mails-per-hour or something would be enough to prevent most abuse?

I guess it just makes PlusNet 'look' as if they're taking security seriously to the casual observer.

>I guess it just makes PlusNet 'look' as if they're taking security seriously to the casual observer.



Trouble is can't see it helpful to any partially sighted people.

Assuming it is used at the login point of a webmail system it means even if you have managed to obtain a list of user names and passwords it makes it hard to login via a script and then send automated spam via the account. It will have no impact on spaming known EMail addresses but is a usefull enough safeguard.

I don't use any ISP's EMail system as they tend not be that reliable and it means if I change ISP my EMail is the same as before.

What would you recommend to help the security for partially sighted people in this instance ?

Specsavers

There is a system that allows you to answer a question from a range of photos.

IE

Which picture is the orange? Then you click on that etc

Edited by soundsystem (Wed 13-Jun-07 17:18:45)

What if you are colour blind

The main point is whatever you put in place not everyone will like it.

Is there not a webstandard for this sort of thing?

When I meant Orange, I didn't mean the colour I mean't an orange.

Trees, bus etc etc

Even if black and white (the pictures) hopefully you would see the outline.