MediaWiki:Captchahelp-text

Web sites that accept postings from the public, like this wiki, are often abused by spammers who use automated tools to post their links to many sites. While these spam links can be removed, they are a significant nuisance.

Sometimes, especially when adding new web links to a page, the wiki may show you a simple math problem and ask you to answer it. Though it wouldn't be hard for a spammer to automate this task, so far this simple tool has greatly reduced spammers and other robotic attackers. One advantage this simple method has over more complicated similar tools (that often rely on distorted words) is that users with limited vision or using text-based or speech-based browsers should not have a problem with the math problem.

If for any reason this tool is unexpectedly preventing you from making legitimate posts, please leave a message at [site admins talk page].

Hit the 'back' button in your browser to return to the page editor. Finally, note that by logging in and verifying the e-mail address on your account, you can avoid having to stop to respond to the math problem. For more information, see Site:Captcha.