> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.hosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Adding CAPTCHA protection to a Joomla site

> Secure your Joomla site and reduce spam with CAPTCHA protection. Learn how to add it here.

This article describes how to add CAPTCHA protection to a Joomla site. CAPTCHAs help protect your site from spamming by bots and other malicious actors.

<Note>
  For general information about what CAPTCHAs are and what they do, please see [this article](/docs/adding-captcha-protection-to-your-web-site).
</Note>

## Adding CAPTCHA protection

There are several Joomla plugins available that add CAPTCHA support to a site. Some plugins require a fee, while others require registration. One CAPTCHA plugin that is free and does not require any registration or API key setup is OSOLCaptcha.

To add CAPTCHA protection to a Joomla site using the OSOLCaptcha plugin, follow these steps:

1. Use your web browser to visit the OSOLCaptcha project page at [https://github.com/osolgithub/OSOLCaptcha4Joomla3](https://github.com/osolgithub/OSOLCaptcha4Joomla3).

2. In the right sidebar, click **Download ZIP**, and then save the .zip file on your local computer.

3. Log in to your Joomla site as the administrator.

4. On the top menu bar, click **Extensions**, and then click **Extension Manager**.

5. Click the **Upload Package File** tab.

6. Click **Browse**, and then select the .zip file you downloaded in step 2.

7. Click **Upload & Install**. Joomla installs the plugin.

8. On the top menu bar, click **Extensions**, and then click **Plugin Manager**.

9. Under **Filter**, in the **Select Type** list box, click **system**.

10. Locate the **System - osolCaptcha** plugin in the **Plugin Name** column.

11. In the **Status** column, click the **x** icon to enable the plugin.

12. To configure the plugin, click **System - osolCaptcha**.
    > 📘 Note
    >
    > You can modify the CAPTCHA styling and many other options, as well as preview your changes.

13. When you are done configuring the plugin, click **Save**.

14. CAPTCHAs are now activated for your site. To test this, go to any of the following forms on your site:

* Login registration form

* Password reset form

* Username reminder form

* Contact form

## More information

For more information about the OSOLCaptcha plugin, please visit [http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/access-a-security/site-security/captcha/11521](http://extensions.joomla.org/extensions/access-a-security/site-security/captcha/11521).

## Related articles

* [Joomla](/docs/joomla1)