# Using reCAPTCHA with MediaWiki

**Important** : Version 1.0 of the reCAPTCHA API is no longer supported, please upgrade to Version 2.0. [Learn more](https://developers.google.com/recaptcha/docs/faq)

The reCAPTCHA MediaWiki plugin uses a [CAPTCHA](http://www.google.com/recaptcha/) to prevent spam.
Here is how to add reCAPTCHA to MediaWiki:

1. [Download](http://code.google.com/p/recaptcha/downloads/list?q=MW-Latest) the zip file (note that this
   plugin only works with MediaWiki 1.8 or newer).

2. Unzip the MediaWiki extension.

   ```
   cd /path/to/mediawiki/extensions/
   # * gets whatever version you downloaded
   unzip ~/recaptcha-mediawiki-*.zip
   # move the package to a standardized directory.
   mv recaptcha-mediawiki-* recaptcha
   ```
3. Add the following lines to MediaWiki's LocalSettings.php:

   ```
   require_once( "$IP/extensions/recaptcha/ReCaptcha.php" );
   // Sign up for these at https://www.google.com/recaptcha/admin#createsite
   $recaptcha_public_key = '';
   $recaptcha_private_key = '';
   ```
4. Enter the public and private keys in LocalSettings.php. (If you haven't done so, you must sign up for reCAPTCHA
   keys [here](https://www.google.com/recaptcha/admin#createsite).)

5. That's it! You should have CAPTCHAs now!

## MediaWiki FAQ


When do CAPTCHAs get displayed? How do I tune this?

:   By default, CAPTCHAs are triggered on the following events:

    - New user registration
    - Anonymous edits that contain new external links
    - Brute-force password cracking

    These settings can be tuned in LocalSettings.php. See ConfirmEdit.php for possible options


How do I uninstall reCAPTCHA?

:   Simply remove the line you added to LocalSettings.php. You can also
    delete the folder you created in the extensions directory.