If you can read this, maybe you're not a computer
- TAGS:deception, digital, verification
- IT TOPICS:Security
Most anyone who's spent some time online is familiar with the human verification programs that have users re-type the squiggly characters (a CAPTCHA) they see on the screen in front of them. In fact, on occasion, I've found some of those letters and numbers kind of hard to make out. Well, that's really the point, because it seems that computers are now getting better and better at identifying those misshapen letters. Washington Post Staff Writer, Peter Whoriskey points out here in "Digital Deception" that better hacker computers will result in better verification tests.
Hackers are setting up more and more new email accounts by sidestepping the need for humans to pass human identification tests. From those bogus email accounts they can generate tons of spam. One of my home PCs gets an unusually large amount of spam from those fake email accounts, so I'd be happy to see improved detection methods ASAP.
Free Insider Guide