Some days ago, ProQuest implemented CAPTCHAs because they have detected bots attempting to download information from their databases without permission. Using CAPTCHA will help protect the rights of copyright holders by ensuring that information is accessed only by authorized users.
Please find below some FAQs concerning CAPTCHAs in ProQuest Databases:
What is a CAPTCHA?
A CAPTCHA (or Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) is used to detect if activity is coming from a “real” human – not from an automated script, commonly referred to as a bot.
Example CAPTCHA:
Why has Proquest introduced the use of CAPTCHAs?
We have introduced CAPTCHAs because, like many other online services, we’ve detected bots attempting to download copyrighted information.
Which products do the CAPTCHAs impact?
This will apply to all databases on the ProQuest platform (e.g Factiva, ProQuest Central, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, etc.).
When will ProQuest users see CAPTCHAs?
We have analyzed usage on the platform and picked a usage threshold for CAPTCHAs that is designed to minimize the impact for our users. We anticipate that the vast majority of users will not see CAPTCHA prompts, and these will occur in a very small percentage of users’ research sessions.
Can customers follow links to our content without entering a CAPTCHA?
Customers following links to access some content types may see CAPTCHAs immediately. For example, a user following a direct link to a document stored in a browser bookmark may see a CAPTCHA before being able to access the document. Likewise, a customer accessing content via Summon, direct links in a Learning Management System, or an email alert may be required to enter a CAPTCHA before viewing documents.
Is this a permanent measure?
Data security is continually evolving, and ProQuest is always looking for better ways to enhance the security of our services. At this stage, the use of a CAPTCHA has been identified as an effective security method. We will continue to evaluate additional security enhancements.
Are CAPTCHAs accessible for the visually impaired?
Yes. We are using Google Technology to generate our CAPTCHAs. More information on accessibility is available here.
