How to Replace CAPTCHA and Protect Your Website from Bot Attacks: TOP 14 Alternatives

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Captcha, or CAPTCHA, is a tool widely used by digital platforms to combat spam and bots, and is one of the main “lines of defense” for websites against cybercriminals.

However, not everyone likes them. Captchas reduce user experience and make it difficult for visitors to access content. So what can you do about the fact that CAPTCHA can cause potential customers and readers to leave your site? How can you reduce the number of bounces while protecting your resource?

In this article, we will look at what alternatives there are to captcha that simplify the user experience and at the same time increase the level of resource security.

Contents
1. Why does it need to be replaced?
2. 14 Tools to Replace Captcha
2.1. 1. Honeypots
2.2. 2. Dynamic captchas
2.3. 3. AI-captcha
2.4. 4. Checking devices
2.5. 5. Invisible reCAPTCHA from Google
2.6. 6. Anti-bot software
2.7. 7. Antispam plugins
2.8. 8. Web Application Firewall (WAF)
2.9. 9. Classic bot blocking
2.10. 10. Multi-factor authentication
2.11. 11. hCaptcha
2.12. 12. Behavioral analysis
2.13. 13. KeyCAPTCHA
2.14. 14. Open source tools
3. Benefits of Alternative Bot Blocking Methods
4. Disadvantages of modern alternatives to captcha
5. In conclusion

Why does it need to be replaced?​

Captchas were once a reliable tool for protecting against spam and automated attacks, but they are now facing increasing complaints. Captchas are frustrating for many users because they slow down access to a site, provide tests that are difficult for a human to solve, and are ultimately mistaken for robots.

Another major problem is their accessibility. Because of them, visitors who do not speak English, as well as users with visual impairments, cannot access the site, as they are physically unable to pass the robot check.

Cybersecurity experts emphasize that the ineffectiveness of CAPTCHA and concerns about the collection of personal data are forcing resource owners to look for other ways to protect against spam and automated attacks. Thus, in the near future, demand for alternative tools for blocking bots and other invalid traffic is expected to increase.

14 Tools to Replace Captcha​

1. Honeypots​

Honeypots (also honey traps), or baits, are entire systems and services, as well as hidden functionality on a website, that are used to deceive attackers and divert attacks from protected systems. As a rule, the purpose of their placement is to analyze cyberattacks, discover new ways to hack systems, search for vulnerabilities and create countermeasures to improve cyber defense.

There are two types of such traps:

1. Practical honeypots - serve as honeypot systems within fully functioning networks and servers, often as part of an intrusion detection system.
2. Research honeypots - used for research purposes and to improve the security of systems.

The following honeypot formats can be used to block attacks:

• High-Interaction Honeypots: Attackers fully interact with the honeypot, allowing the cybersecurity team to gain valuable insight into attacker tactics and techniques.
• Low-interaction baits. They imitate only a small part of the functionality.
• Virtual honeypots. These are virtual simulation machines isolated from systems and resources.
• Watering hole honeypots (analogy to predators attacking at a watering hole). Typically installed in the most frequently attacked specific places of online systems.
• Hidden fields and forms. Not visible to real users, but available to automated scripts. Used to catch lead bots that fill out application, subscription, and callback forms and generate fake leads.
• Passive honeypots. These are the type of honeypots that are completely passive and do not generate network traffic on their own. They wait for attackers to attack them and record all malicious activity, tactics, hacking methods and attacks. They are used for research purposes.

Each honeypot format has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice depends on the company's goals and cybersecurity strategy. They can warn of attacks, help organizations understand cybercriminal tactics and identify vulnerabilities in the system, and can also be used to train and educate cybersecurity professionals.

2. Dynamic captchas​

An innovative alternative to conventional captchas is a system that shows not standardized tests with distorted text or images, but dynamic variants that adapt to the behavior of each user. Among the presentations of such a captcha: listening to audio, putting together puzzles, and rotating 3D images.

3. AI-captcha​

AI captcha is a new format of tests that provide reliable protection against automated bot attacks. It is an intelligent captcha checking tool that is shown exclusively to bots. The algorithm determines whether the page was visited by a person or a robot and, depending on this, turns on the additional verification system.

The unique feature of such AI captcha is that real users do not see them, even if they came from the exchange to solve tests for bots. Only robots see the captcha and no one else.

4. Checking devices​

These are AI-powered tools designed to combat online fraud and bot attacks. Unlike conventional CAPTCHA models, these services use hidden methods of bot analysis and detection. The key feature of such systems is to check the characteristics of user devices.

5. Invisible reCAPTCHA from Google​

Google's Invisible reCAPTCHA is a modern alternative to traditional captcha formats. Unlike classic ideas, it has a less intrusive interface and is more user-friendly. Instead of mandatory manual tests, Invisible reCAPTCHA uses machine learning and behavioral analysis to thoroughly study user behavior and activity.

6. Anti-bot software​

Anti-bot software is considered a reliable cybersecurity tool. It is suitable for detecting automated interactions with a website and is often used to protect against cyber attacks such as distributed denial of service (DDoS) and email spam.

It also includes protection of advertising from clicking by bots, competitors and clickers. For example, among them are the tools Yandex Direct Protection and Google Ads Protection from Botfaqtor.

7. Antispam plugins​

Anti-spam plugins are considered an alternative to captcha because they offer a convenient approach to protecting websites from unwanted comments and SEO links. Plugins use various filters and features to identify and block unwanted comments, contact form spam, and other types of malicious content.

8. Web Application Firewall (WAF)​

A web application firewall (WAF) is a security measure that can also be an alternative to CAPTCHA. It can be configured to check requests sent to the captcha against the firewall rules. The WAF acts as a protective barrier for the site, filtering out malicious traffic and protecting against potential threats.

9. Classic bot blocking​

In addition to captcha, you can use special cloud services to block bots, which protect against spam and automated attacks. This approach allows you to do without captcha altogether.

The technology can use an AI algorithm to analyze many technical and behavioral parameters of site visitors and further block them if necessary. These are invisible protection methods that real users do not even suspect.

10. Multi-factor authentication​

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security protocol that enhances security by using multiple verification methods. It extends the capabilities of security protocols and allows you to verify the user's identity using various credentials and authentication factors (password, one-time code on a phone or email, etc.).

Google research shows that multi-factor authentication can effectively prevent up to 99% of mass phishing attacks and eliminate automated bot attacks.

11. hCaptcha​

One of the variants of captcha and as an alternative to old formats. This is a modern replacement for reCAPTCHA from Google. hCaptcha is a free tool aimed at preserving user privacy. Many have probably already encountered it: it is a test where the user must select the desired images.

hCaptcha is considered an alternative to reCAPTCHA because it can block advanced spambots that can solve other captcha formats from accessing websites. hCaptcha uses artificial intelligence to combat website scraping, ticket and catalog buying, credential leaks, bank card hacking, and advertising fraud.

12. Behavioural analysis​

This technology effectively blocks bots from accessing online resources. Unlike traditional captcha, it involves a deep analysis of user behavior, including mouse movements, keystrokes on the keyboard, and browsing history, which ultimately makes it possible to determine whether the person in front of us is a human or a bot.

Unlike CAPTCHA, behavioral analysis is more convenient to use, since it does not require ordinary visitors to solve tests, read texts and distribute images.

13. KeyCAPTCHA​

KeyCAPTCHA is a free alternative to reCAPTCHA that improves website security. It is an interactive captcha with social media features that is widely used to block bots. KeyCAPTCHA uses simple puzzles, including images.

14. Open source tools​

Open source tools like Mosparo can also replace the regular captcha. Their main function is to protect online forms and websites from fake applications and spam. The detection method is comparable to a spam filter in email. Allows you to modify the code to suit your needs.

To detect malicious traffic, only the data that the user entered into the form, his IP address and User-agent can be used, but no other information can be collected. All user data is encrypted by default. All collected data is deleted after a certain period of time.

There are also open-source systems for securing APIs without using cookies, fingerprinting, or other tracking formats. These tools are more likely to preserve user privacy.

Benefits of Alternative Bot Blocking Methods​

Alternatives to captchas have their advantages. Among them:

— Improving user experience

Traditional CAPTCHAs that require classifying images or interpreting distorted text, as well as solving more complex problems, can create a negative user experience for visitors and waste their time.

Alternative uses of captcha, on the other hand, offer a more convenient approach to completing tasks. They are less time-consuming and more intuitive. For example, when users have to identify objects in images, it is faster and easier than interpreting distorted text.

— Ease of integration

Such alternative technologies do not require much effort to integrate and guarantee ease of implementation.

- Wide compatibility with programming languages

Unlike standard captcha, you can choose tools that are compatible with various programming languages and frameworks.

— Availability

Traditional CAPTCHA formats can be difficult for people with disabilities, such as the visually impaired. Alternative CAPTCHA entry methods can be more accessible to these categories of users, as they allow the inclusion of audio recordings for voice recognition.

— Completeness of data

Alternative system and site protection tools collect useful information that specialists can use to make decisions to develop strategies. This feature improves the overall security of systems and services and identifies potential vulnerabilities.

- Higher level of security

A number of alternative CAPTCHA variants are designed to make it more difficult for bots to access content and recognize tests. Unlike traditional CAPTCHA, modern tools can include tasks that are more difficult to automate at the script level.

— Flexible settings

The settings of modern captcha formats and other alternative tools allow them to be individually adapted to each site. Such adaptability provides a more effective approach to security. This improves the overall user experience with the resource and provides reliable protection against spam and unwanted traffic.

— Reduced maintenance costs

Captchas need to be updated and improved regularly to maintain the required level of protection. In this regard, traditional formats may lose to modern options.

Disadvantages of modern alternatives to captcha​

- Breach of confidentiality

A number of alternative CAPTCHA tools, particularly those that use behavioral analysis, may raise privacy concerns.

- Bias

Some bot blocking tools that require user interaction, such as reading text/images, may lead to bias among certain groups of users. This may be due to site visitors having had negative experiences with captchas and other robot checking tools.

— Improving cyber attacks

As tools for protecting websites from bot attacks improve, so do cyber fraud tactics. Bot developers create and modify fraudulent and malicious hacking and unauthorized access methods.

— Depend on specific user skills

Some alternative traffic blocking tools may rely on certain skills or knowledge on the part of the user, putting people who do not have these skills at a disadvantage.

— Accessibility issues

Tasks that require clicking on a link or complex puzzles may be difficult for users with disabilities.

In conclusion​

Traditional CAPTCHA formats are effective, but the limitations that real people face require finding alternative ways to block unwanted traffic. By exploring and implementing other ways to protect against bots, online resource owners can improve user interaction with content, accessibility to it, and perhaps even increase security.

When choosing alternatives to block spam and automated attacks, it is important to consider the individual characteristics of the site and choose solutions that optimally combine security and convenience for users. This is the only way to choose an alternative to CAPTCHA that provides a harmonious balance between these important aspects.