A system and method for automatically determining if a computer user is a human or an automated script. Human interactive proofs (HIPs) are currently used to deter automated registration for web services by automated computer scripts. Unfortunately, whilst every endeavour is made to obscure the HIPs from such automated processes, the presentation of current HIPs leaves systems very much open to malicious attack from automated computer scripts and processes such as optical character readers (OCR). Those HIPs that have proven more successful in foiling malicious attacks have proved difficult for humans to decipher. The system and method of the invention in one embodiment provides a Pseudo-Isochromatic challenge or puzzle or any other visual illusion generated on the basis of Pseudo- Isochromatic imagery (PICPVI), to be employed within a challenge generator, the invention is created in such a way as to make it extremely difficult for an automated process to read, decipher or otherwise interpret the PICPVI but relatively easy for the human end user to successfully complete. In one embodiment the end user issues a request to a service provider for access to services, the service provider requests HIP by generating a PICPVI. The PICPVI is generated for the user and the response can be provided as the whole or part of the access to service request, making it extremely difficult for an automated process to access services unlawfully or maliciously.
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