CAPTCHA configuration

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CAPTCHA Configuration

A typical CAPTCHA image
A typical CAPTCHA image

CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) is a security measure used to differentiate between human users and automated bots. On a MediaWiki platform, CAPTCHAs are crucial for protecting against spam, account creation abuse, and other malicious activities. This article details the configuration of CAPTCHAs within a MediaWiki 1.40 environment, covering various extensions and best practices.

Why Use CAPTCHAs?

Without CAPTCHAs, a wiki is vulnerable to several threats:

  • Spam Accounts: Bots can create numerous fake accounts to post spam links or malicious content.
  • Automated Editing: Bots can vandalize pages or perform other unwanted edits automatically.
  • Brute-Force Attacks: Bots can attempt to guess user passwords through repeated login attempts.
  • Comment Spam: Bots can flood discussion pages with irrelevant or harmful comments.

CAPTCHAs mitigate these risks by presenting a challenge that is easy for humans to solve but difficult for bots.

CAPTCHA Extensions for MediaWiki

Several extensions provide CAPTCHA functionality for MediaWiki. The most popular and recommended options include:

  • reCAPTCHA: Developed by Google, reCAPTCHA is a widely used and effective CAPTCHA service. It offers various versions, including v2 ("I'm not a robot" checkbox) and v3 (invisible CAPTCHA based on user behavior). Google reCAPTCHA is a powerful tool for preventing automated abuse.
  • ConfirmEdit: This extension provides a CAPTCHA challenge during editing, helping to prevent automated vandalism. It's particularly useful for wikis with high traffic and a history of vandalism. It offers multiple CAPTCHA providers, including reCAPTCHA.
  • Spam Prevention: While broader than just CAPTCHAs, this extension offers CAPTCHA integration as part of its anti-spam features. It utilizes various techniques to identify and block spam, including CAPTCHA challenges. Understanding Spam Prevention Techniques is crucial for wiki health.
  • Simple CAPTCHA: A lightweight and easy-to-configure CAPTCHA extension, suitable for smaller wikis or those with less stringent security requirements.
  • MathCAPTCHA: Presents a simple mathematical equation that users must solve. While less sophisticated, it's effective against many basic bots.

Configuring reCAPTCHA (Recommended)

reCAPTCHA is generally the most effective and user-friendly option. Here's a step-by-step guide to configuring it:

1. Obtain reCAPTCHA Keys:

   *   Go to the [Google reCAPTCHA developer site](https://www.google.com/recaptcha/intro/).
   *   Register your wiki domain.
   *   Choose reCAPTCHA v2 (checkbox) or v3 (invisible). v3 is generally preferred for a better user experience, but requires more careful configuration.
   *   Google will provide you with two keys: a site key and a secret key. Keep the secret key confidential.

2. Install the reCAPTCHA Extension:

   *   Download the reCAPTCHA extension from the [MediaWiki Extensions repository](https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:reCAPTCHA).
   *   Upload the extension files to your MediaWiki extensions directory (typically `/extensions/`).
   *   Add the following line to your `LocalSettings.php` file:
       ```php
       wfLoadExtension( 'reCAPTCHA' );
       ```

3. Configure reCAPTCHA in LocalSettings.php:

   *   Add the following configuration settings to your `LocalSettings.php` file, replacing the placeholders with your actual keys:
       ```php
       $wgReCaptchaSiteKey = 'YOUR_SITE_KEY';
       $wgReCaptchaSecretKey = 'YOUR_SECRET_KEY';
       $wgReCaptchaUseSSL = true; // Set to false if your wiki is not served over HTTPS
       $wgReCaptchaActionName = 'recaptcha-response'; // The name of the reCAPTCHA response field
       $wgReCaptchaCaptchaType = 'image'; // 'image' for v2 checkbox, 'invisible' for v3
       ```
   *  For reCAPTCHA v3, you'll also need to configure a score threshold:
       ```php
       $wgReCaptchaScoreThreshold = 0.5; // Adjust this value based on your needs
       ```

4. Enable reCAPTCHA for specific forms:

   *   reCAPTCHA can be enabled for various forms, including login, account creation, and editing.
   *   To enable it for account creation, add the following to `LocalSettings.php`:
       ```php
       $wgReCaptchaCreateAccount = true;
       ```
   *   To enable it for login, add:
       ```php
       $wgReCaptchaLogin = true;
       ```
   *   To enable it for editing, add:
       ```php
       $wgReCaptchaEdit = true;
       ```

5. Clear the Cache:

   *   After making changes to `LocalSettings.php`, clear the MediaWiki cache to ensure the changes take effect.  This can be done through the Maintenance page.

Configuring ConfirmEdit

ConfirmEdit offers a more granular approach to CAPTCHA integration, allowing you to specify which editing actions require a CAPTCHA challenge.

1. Install ConfirmEdit:

   *   Download the ConfirmEdit extension from the [MediaWiki Extensions repository](https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:ConfirmEdit).
   *   Upload the extension files to your MediaWiki extensions directory.
   *   Add the following line to your `LocalSettings.php` file:
       ```php
       wfLoadExtension( 'ConfirmEdit' );
       ```

2. Configure ConfirmEdit in LocalSettings.php:

   *   ConfirmEdit supports various CAPTCHA providers. To use reCAPTCHA, configure the following settings:
       ```php
       $wgConfirmEditCaptchaProvider = 'GoogleCaptcha';
       $wgConfirmEditGoogleCaptchaSiteKey = 'YOUR_SITE_KEY';
       $wgConfirmEditGoogleCaptchaSecretKey = 'YOUR_SECRET_KEY';
       $wgConfirmEditRequireCaptcha = true; // Enable CAPTCHA for all edits
       ```
   *   You can also configure ConfirmEdit to require CAPTCHAs only for specific user groups or editing actions.  Refer to the [ConfirmEdit documentation](https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:ConfirmEdit) for details.

Adjusting CAPTCHA Sensitivity

The sensitivity of a CAPTCHA can be adjusted to balance security and user experience.

  • reCAPTCHA v3 Score Threshold: In reCAPTCHA v3, the `$wgReCaptchaScoreThreshold` setting determines the minimum score required for a request to be considered legitimate. Lowering the threshold increases sensitivity but may also lead to more false positives (legitimate users being challenged). Raising the threshold decreases sensitivity but may allow more bots to pass through.
  • ConfirmEdit Edit Conditions: ConfirmEdit allows you to define specific conditions under which a CAPTCHA is required. You can, for example, require CAPTCHAs only for anonymous users or for edits to specific pages.

Troubleshooting CAPTCHA Issues

  • Keys Not Working: Double-check that you have entered the correct site key and secret key in your `LocalSettings.php` file. Ensure that your wiki domain is registered with Google reCAPTCHA.
  • CAPTCHA Not Appearing: Verify that you have enabled the CAPTCHA for the desired form (e.g., account creation, login, editing). Clear the MediaWiki cache.
  • False Positives: If legitimate users are frequently being challenged by the CAPTCHA, consider lowering the reCAPTCHA v3 score threshold or adjusting the ConfirmEdit edit conditions.
  • JavaScript Errors: Check your browser's developer console for JavaScript errors related to reCAPTCHA. Ensure that your wiki is served over HTTPS if `$wgReCaptchaUseSSL` is set to `true`.

Best Practices for CAPTCHA Configuration

  • Use HTTPS: Serving your wiki over HTTPS is essential for security and is required by some CAPTCHA providers.
  • Keep Your Keys Secret: Never share your reCAPTCHA secret key publicly.
  • Monitor CAPTCHA Performance: Regularly review logs and user feedback to identify any issues with the CAPTCHA configuration.
  • Consider User Experience: Choose a CAPTCHA method that is relatively easy for humans to solve. reCAPTCHA v3 is generally preferred for its invisible approach.
  • Combine with Other Security Measures: CAPTCHAs are just one layer of security. Combine them with other measures, such as Access Control Lists, Spam Blacklists, and User Rights Management, for a comprehensive security strategy.
  • Regularly Update Extensions: Keep your CAPTCHA extensions up to date to benefit from the latest security patches and improvements.
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