---
title: Captchas
date: "2002-12-11T12:00:00Z"
categories:
  - links
wp_id: 1004
description: I highlight the shift from the Turing Test to CAPTCHAs, where automated programs now verify human identity. It is a reversal of history, using challenges to stop computers from mimicking humans online.
keywords: [captcha, turing test, bot detection, human verification, reverse turing test, internet history]
---

The NY Times on '[captchas](http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/10/science/physical/10COMP.html)'. At the time of Turing, we were wondering if computers would pass the Turing Test. Today, these [captchas](http://www.captcha.net/) stop computer programs from fooling us into thinking they're humans. We've come a long way! [via missing matter](http://missingmatter.net/article.pl?sid=02/12/11/0332203)