MINI PROJECT SYNOPSIS

on
Design a ML Model Based Solution To Refine CAPTCHA

Group no. 09

Submitted by
Akshatra Gupta (2204500100012)
Arun Trigunayat (2204500100024)
Ashish Gangwar (2204500100026)

Mini Project Guide

Ms. Neha Sharma

Submitted to
Ms. Monica Mitra

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

SRMS College of Engineering, Technology & Research Bareilly

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

i) Introduction……………………………………………………03

ii) Motivation………………………………………………….….04

iii) Problem Statement……………………………………………..05

iv) Objective……………………………………………………….06

v) Literature Review……………………………………… .…….07

vi) Tools and Technology…………………………… … …..……08

vii) Methodology…………………………………… ……...….….09

viii) Application………………………………… …… . ….…...….11

ix) Conclusion………………………………… …… ………...….13

x) References……………………………… ……… ……….……14

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 INTRODUCTION

CAPTCHA, or Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart,
is a widely used mechanism that helps websites and online services distinguish between human
users and automated bots. Originally designed to prevent spam and abuse, CAPTCHAs have
evolved significantly over the years. Traditional methods often involve visual challenges, such as
distorted text or image recognition tasks, which can be frustrating for users and pose accessibility
challenges for individuals with disabilities.

Despite their importance in maintaining cybersecurity, standard CAPTCHA implementations

face several limitations. Many users find traditional CAPTCHAs to be cumbersome and time-
consuming, leading to negative experiences that may result in site abandonment. Additionally,
the accessibility of these tests remains a significant concern; users with visual impairments or
cognitive disabilities may struggle to complete standard CAPTCHAs, leading to exclusion from
certain online services.

Moreover, advancements in artificial intelligence have enabled bots to bypass traditional

CAPTCHA systems, rendering many existing methods less effective. As bots become
increasingly sophisticated, the challenge lies in creating CAPTCHA systems that can not only
differentiate between humans and automated scripts but also adapt to user behavior and provide a
seamless experience.

This project aims to address these challenges by developing a machine learning-based model to
refine CAPTCHA systems. By analyzing user interaction data and employing adaptive
algorithms, the model will create dynamic CAPTCHA challenges that adjust in real time based
on user performance. This approach will not only enhance security but also improve user
experience by reducing frustration and increasing accessibility.

The proposed system will utilize various machine learning techniques, such as supervised
learning and feature extraction, to train models that classify user inputs and predict challenge
effectiveness. Additionally, an adaptive feedback loop will be implemented to learn from user
interactions, allowing the system to evolve over time. The goal is to develop CAPTCHAs that
are not only secure but also engaging and inclusive, ensuring that all users can access online
services without barriers.

By refining the CAPTCHA experience, this project seeks to bridge the gap between security and
usability in digital environments. Ultimately, it aims to create a robust, adaptable CAPTCHA
model that meets the needs of both users and service providers, ensuring a more secure and
accessible internet for everyone.

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 MOTIVATION

In an increasingly digital world, the need for secure online interactions has never been more
critical. CAPTCHAs serve as a frontline defense against malicious bots that can exploit online
services, commit fraud, or scrape valuable data. One primary motivation is to improve the user
experience while maintaining security. Traditional CAPTCHAs can be frustrating for users,
leading to a negative impact on user experience, especially for visually impaired individuals. By
refining CAPTCHA, you can create a more user-friendly and accessible security measure.

The convergence of artificial intelligence, computer vision, and data analytics has enabled the
creation of sophisticated ML-based CAPTCHA solutions. Advances in deep learning algorithms,
natural language processing, and object detection facilitate robust image and audio processing.
Integration with cloud computing, IoT, and blockchain technologies ensures scalable, secure, and
transparent verification.

By implementing ML-based CAPTCHA solutions, organizations can prevent financial losses,

reduce spam and fake accounts, protect customer data, and ensure regulatory compliance,
resulting in improved online security, increased user trust, and enhanced digital experiences.
The successful implementation of an ML-based CAPTCHA solution can have a profound impact
on the digital landscape, transforming online security and user experience. By effectively
detecting and blocking automated attacks, it can prevent billions of dollars in financial losses,
protect sensitive user data, and safeguard digital transactions. Moreover, it can enhance user
trust, reduce friction, and improve online engagement, leading to increased conversion rates and
revenue growth.

Developing an ML-based CAPTCHA solution offers a unique learning opportunity, enabling

individuals to gain expertise in cutting-edge technologies such as machine learning, deep
learning, and computer vision. This project allows exploration of natural language processing,
image and audio processing, and reinforcement learning. Additionally, it provides hands-on
experience with data analytics, data visualization, and security frameworks.

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 PROBLEM STATEMENT

The widespread adoption of online services has led to an increase in automated bot attacks,
compromising user data and undermining the integrity of digital platforms. Traditional
CAPTCHA systems, designed to distinguish humans from bots, have become ineffective due to
advancements in machine learning-based attacks. Here are some problems which are being faced
by the users on various platforms:

1. Security Challenges: As bots become more advanced through machine learning and
artificial intelligence, they are increasingly capable of bypassing traditional CAPTCHA
systems. This trend poses a significant risk to the integrity of online services, making it
crucial to develop adaptive and robust CAPTCHA mechanisms that can stay ahead of
evolving threats. A machine learning-based approach can offer a dynamic solution that
adjusts to new attack vectors, enhancing the security of online platforms.
2. User Experience Challenges: Many users find traditional CAPTCHAs to be
frustrating, time-consuming, and often confusing. Studies have shown that a poor
CAPTCHA experience can lead to site abandonment, negatively impacting user
engagement and conversion rates. By refining CAPTCHAs to be more intuitive and
responsive to user behaviour, we can create a more enjoyable online experience. This
project seeks to leverage machine learning to develop challenges that are not only
effective but also engaging, minimizing user frustration and promoting seamless
interactions.
3. Accessibility challenges: An essential aspect of digital inclusivity is ensuring that
online services are accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities.
Traditional CAPTCHA formats can create barriers for users with visual impairments,
cognitive challenges, or other disabilities. By focusing on adaptive challenge design that
takes user needs into account, this project aims to create CAPTCHAs that are inclusive
and compliant with accessibility standards. Ensuring that everyone can access online
services is not just a moral imperative but also broadens the user base for digital
platforms.

In summary, the factor which excited us for developing a machine learning-based CAPTCHA
refinement model lies in the intersection of security, user experience, and accessibility. By
addressing these critical concerns, the project aspires to create a CAPTCHA system that not only
safeguards online interactions but also enriches the user experience for all. The goal is to
redefine how CAPTCHA is perceived and implemented, making it a positive aspect of online
security rather than a hurdle for users. Through innovative design and intelligent adaptation, we
can pave the way for a more secure and inclusive digital landscape.

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6
 OBJECTIVES

The primary goal of this project is to develop a machine learning-based model that refines
CAPTCHA systems to enhance security while improving user experience and accessibility. To
achieve this overarching aim, several specific objectives have been outlined:

1. To create a system that generates CAPTCHA challenges tailored to user behavior and
performance metrics, implementing adaptive algorithms that modify the difficulty and
type of CAPTCHA presented based on real-time analysis of user interactions.

2. To improve the overall user experience by developing CAPTCHAs that are more
intuitive and less intrusive, conducting user studies to gather feedback on existing
CAPTCHA systems and identifying common pain points to design challenges that
minimize barriers to access.

3. To ensure that the refined CAPTCHA system is accessible to all users, including those
with disabilities, by integrating various CAPTCHA formats, such as audio and visual
challenges, and conducting thorough testing with individuals who have disabilities to
ensure compliance with accessibility standards.

4. To develop a feedback mechanism that allows the machine learning model to

continuously learn and adapt from user interactions, implementing a system that collects
data on user responses and uses this data to refine the model over time, enhancing its
accuracy and effectiveness.

5. To ensure that the refined CAPTCHA model is scalable and can be easily integrated into
existing online platforms, developing guidelines and tools for seamless implementation,
including APIs and documentation to facilitate adoption by web developers.

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 LITERATURE REVIEW

1. Deep-CAPTCHA: A Deep Learning Based CAPTCHA Solver for Vulnerability Assessment:

CAPTCHA is a human-centred test to distinguish a human operator from bots, attacking
programs, or other computerised agents that tries to imitate human intelligence. In this research,
we investigate a way to crack visual CAPTCHA tests by an automated deep learning based
solution. The goal of this research is to investigate the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of the
CAPTCHA generator systems; hence, developing more robust CAPTCHAs, without taking the
risks of manual try and fail efforts. We develop a Convolutional Neural Network called Deep-
CAPTCHA to achieve this goal. The proposed platform is able to investigate both numerical and
alphanumerical CAPTCHAs. To train and develop an efficient model, we have generated a
dataset of 500,000 CAPTCHAs to train our model. In this paper, we present our customised deep
neural network model, we review the research gaps, the existing challenges, and the solutions to
cope with the issues. Our network's cracking accuracy leads to a high rate of 98.94% and 98.31%
for the numerical and the alpha-numerical test datasets, respectively. That means more works is
required to develop robust CAPTCHAs, to be non-crackable against automated artificial agents.
As the outcome of this research, we identify some efficient techniques to improve the security of
the CAPTCHAs, based on the performance analysis conducted on the Deep-CAPTCHA model.

2. Neural network CAPTCHA crackers:

This paper describes several experiments using deep neural networks to break character-based
image CAPTCHAs. The goal of our research was to see if one could develop a single neural
network capable of breaking all character-based, image CAPTCHAs. Our main deep neural net
uses convolutional neural network layers followed by a dense layer, and a recurrent recurrent
neural network layer instead of the conventional method of CAPTCHA breaking based on
segmenting and recognizing individual letters. Our experiments with these networks were
conducted using a synthetically generated dataset of CAPTCHAs which is independently useful
for future research. We trained on both fixed-and variable-length CAPTCHAs and our main
neural net configuration was able to achieve accuracy levels of 99.8% and 81%, respectively.

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 TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY

To develop a machine learning-based CAPTCHA refinement model, a variety of tools and

technologies will be utilized throughout different phases of the project. These tools will facilitate
data collection, model development, testing, and deployment, ensuring a robust and scalable
solution.

1. Programming Languages:
o Python: The primary programming language for implementing machine learning
algorithms, data processing, and system integration. Python's extensive libraries and
frameworks make it ideal for rapid development and experimentation.

2. Machine Learning Frameworks:

o TensorFlow: An open-source machine learning framework that provides robust tools
for building and training neural networks. TensorFlow will be used for developing
complex models that can adaptively generate CAPTCHA challenges based on user
interactions.
o Scikit-learn: A widely-used library for classical machine learning algorithms. Scikit-
learn will aid in feature extraction, model evaluation, and implementation of basic
machine learning techniques for initial testing.

3. Data Collection and Management:

o Pandas: A powerful data manipulation library that will be used for handling and
analyzing datasets. Pandas will assist in cleaning and preparing user interaction data
for model training.
o SQL/NoSQL Databases: Depending on the data structure, either a SQL database
(e.g., PostgreSQL) or a NoSQL database (e.g., MongoDB) will be used for storing
user interaction data, model parameters, and feedback.

4. Frontend Technologies:
o HTML/CSS/JavaScript: Standard web technologies for designing and implementing
user interfaces. JavaScript frameworks (e.g., React or Vue.js) may be used to create
dynamic and responsive CAPTCHA interfaces that enhance user experience.

5. Data Visualization:
o Matplotlib/Seaborn: Libraries for data visualization that will be utilized to analyze
user interaction data and visualize model performance metrics. This will aid in
interpreting results and making informed adjustments to the model.

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 METHODOLOGY

The methodology for developing a machine learning-based model to refine CAPTCHA systems
consists of several structured phases, ensuring a comprehensive and effective approach. Each
phase is designed to address specific aspects of the project, from data collection to model
deployment.

 User Interaction Data: Gather a diverse dataset of user interactions with various
CAPTCHA types. This will include successful and unsuccessful attempts, response times,
and user demographics. Data can be collected through existing web applications or by
conducting controlled user studies.

 Cleaning and Normalization: Use tools like Pandas to clean and preprocess the
collected data. This includes handling missing values, normalizing response times, and
categorizing user responses (e.g., success vs. failure).

 Feature Engineering: Extract relevant features from the data, such as the type of
CAPTCHA used, difficulty level, and user characteristics. This step is crucial for training
effective machine learning models.

 Algorithm Selection for Model Development: Choose appropriate machine

learning algorithms based on the complexity of the problem. Start with supervised learning
techniques using Scikit-learn for initial classification models, and explore neural networks
with TensorFlow for more complex adaptive systems.

 Training and Validation: Split the dataset into training and testing subsets. Train the
model using the training data and validate its performance on the test set, tuning
hyperparameters to optimize accuracy and reduce overfitting.

 Real-Time Adjustment: Implement an adaptive mechanism that modifies CAPTCHA

challenges based on user performance metrics in real time. This involves developing
algorithms that can assess user interactions and generate suitable challenges accordingly.

 Multi-Format CAPTCHAs: Create a range of CAPTCHA formats (text, image, audio)

and assess their effectiveness in different scenarios, ensuring diversity in challenge types to
keep users engaged.

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 User Testing: Conduct usability tests with a diverse group of participants, including those
with disabilities, to gather feedback on the refined CAPTCHA challenges. Monitor
completion rates, response times, and overall satisfaction.

 Accessibility Evaluation: Use tools like Axe to evaluate the accessibility of the
CAPTCHA system, ensuring it meets established guidelines such as WCAG.

 Performance Evaluation: Evaluate the new CAPTCHA system against traditional

methods using metrics such as completion rates, user satisfaction scores, and the
effectiveness in deterring bots. Conduct statistical analyses to assess the significance of
improvements.

 Monitoring and Maintenance: After deployment, monitor the system’s performance

and gather user feedback for continuous improvement. Regular updates to the model will be
implemented based on new data and emerging challenges.

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 APPLICATIONS
The development of a machine learning-based CAPTCHA refinement model has numerous
practical applications across various sectors. These applications enhance security, improve user
experience, and promote inclusivity in digital interactions. Below are some key applications:

1. E-Commerce Websites: Enhanced CAPTCHA systems can help protect e-commerce

platforms from bot-driven fraud, such as account creation, product scraping, and payment
fraud. By dynamically adapting to user behavior, these systems can effectively deter
malicious activities while ensuring legitimate users have a smooth experience.

2. Social Media Platforms: Machine learning-enhanced CAPTCHAs can be employed to

verify new user accounts, preventing spam accounts and ensuring authentic engagement on
social media platforms. The adaptive nature of the system can reduce user frustration during
sign-up processes.

3. Online Banking and Financial Services: Financial institutions can utilize refined
CAPTCHAs as an added layer of security for online transactions and account access. By
ensuring that only humans can access sensitive areas, these systems can help prevent
unauthorized access and fraud.

4. Educational Platforms: Online education platforms can implement adaptive CAPTCHA

systems to maintain academic integrity during assessments. By effectively differentiating
between human test-takers and automated scripts, these systems can reduce the risk of
cheating.

5. Government Services: Government websites that provide services such as tax filing,
benefits applications, and citizen engagement can benefit from enhanced CAPTCHA
systems. Ensuring that only legitimate users access sensitive information is crucial for
maintaining security and trust.

6. Healthcare Portals: Online healthcare platforms can use refined CAPTCHAs to

safeguard patient information and sensitive health records. By preventing bots from
accessing these portals, the system helps maintain privacy and data integrity.

7. Gaming and Online Communities: Online gaming platforms and community forums
can employ advanced CAPTCHA systems to prevent bot activity, such as cheating or
spamming. This ensures a fair and enjoyable experience for all players and community
members.

8. Content Platforms: News sites, blogs, and content platforms can utilize adaptive
CAPTCHAs to filter out spam and bot-generated comments, enhancing the quality of user
interactions and discussions.

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9. Mobile Applications: Mobile applications can implement machine learning-based
CAPTCHAs during user registration or sensitive actions (like password resets) to ensure
secure and human-only interactions, all while being mindful of mobile user experience.

10. Research and Development: Researchers can utilize refined CAPTCHA systems in
studies that require human input, ensuring that data collection is valid and that the responses
are genuinely human-generated.

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 CONCLUSION

The development of a machine learning-based model to refine CAPTCHA systems represents a

significant advancement in balancing security, user experience, and accessibility in digital
interactions. As the landscape of online threats continues to evolve, traditional CAPTCHA
methods often fall short in effectively distinguishing between human users and increasingly
sophisticated bots. This project addresses these challenges by leveraging machine learning
algorithms that adaptively generate CAPTCHA challenges based on user behavior and feedback.
By creating a more dynamic system, we can enhance the security of online platforms while
simultaneously reducing user frustration.

One of the most compelling aspects of this project is its commitment to inclusivity. Traditional
CAPTCHA systems can be barriers for users with disabilities, leading to exclusion from essential
online services. By focusing on adaptive and multi-format CAPTCHA designs, this project seeks
to ensure that all users, regardless of ability, can engage with online platforms without facing
unnecessary hurdles. This approach aligns with modern web accessibility standards, fostering an
inclusive digital environment that benefits everyone.

Moreover, the application of advanced machine learning techniques allows for continuous
improvement and real-time learning. By implementing feedback loops that gather data on user
interactions, the CAPTCHA system can evolve over time, refining its challenge types and
difficulty levels to maintain effectiveness against emerging threats. This iterative process not
only enhances security but also cultivates a more user-friendly experience, encouraging higher
completion rates and user satisfaction.

In conclusion, the refinement of CAPTCHA systems through machine learning not only
addresses critical security concerns but also fosters inclusivity and engagement in online
interactions. As we move forward, the lessons learned and technologies developed in this project
will serve as a foundation for creating advanced, adaptive solutions that keep pace with the ever-
evolving challenges of the digital landscape. Emphasizing the importance of user-centric design
and continuous adaptation, this initiative paves the way for a more secure, accessible, and user-
friendly online experience.

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 REFERENCES

 Zahra Nouri and Mahdi Rezaei, Deep-CAPTCHA: a deep learning based CAPTCHA solver
for vulnerability assessment, June 2020, https://paperswithcode.com/paper/deep-captcha-a-
deep-learning-based-captcha.
 Geetika Garg and Chris Pollett, Neural network CAPTCHA crackers, January 2017,
https://https://ieeexplore.ieee.org.
 K. Greff, R. K. Srivastava, J. Koutník, B. R. Steunebrink and J. Schmid-huber, "LSTM: A
Search Space Odyssey The Computing Research Repository, 2015,
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org.
 Gregory Conte, Image Recognition CAPTCHAs ,2014
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326047891_A_CAPTCHA_recognition_technolog
y_based_on_deep_learning.
 S. Haykin, 2009, "Neural Networks and Learning Machines." Prentice Hall.
 D. Bishop, 2006, "Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning." Springer.

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 DECLARATION

We hereby declare that this submission is our own work and that, to the best of our knowledge
and beliefs, it contains no material previously published or written by another person nor
material which to substantial extent has been accepted for the award of any other degree or
diploma of the university or other institute learning, except where due acknowledgement has
been made in the text.

Signature………………
Name- Akshatra Gupta
Roll no.-2204500100012
Date…………

Signature………………
Name- Arun Trigunayat
Roll no.-2204500100024
Date…………

Signature………………
Name- Ashish Gangwar
Roll no.-2204500100026
Date………….

Signature:
Guide Name: Ms. Neha Sharma

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