Human or 'robot'?

What is the 'Human check' for?

Spammers use computer software (called 'robots' or 'bots') that can automatically read thousands of web pages looking for contact forms. When the 'robot' finds a contact form it automatically sends a message or messages to the form. The message submitted usually contain spam.

In many cases website contact forms send an automated reply email to the users email address submitted in the form. Spammers take advantage of this by monitoring email replies to the email address the 'robot' submitted. By this method they gather lists of email addresses which will later receive spam email.

By asking a question that the 'robot' will not understand but that a human will it is possible to reduce this unwanted form spam.

The test used on this site could be broken by a 'robot' if it was programmed to do so. However for a small website the test used here is sufficient. For a more secure way of protecting a website from form spam see the box on the right.