> ## 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 an Elgg site

> A default Elgg installation is vulnerable to spamming by bots. Adding CAPTCHA protection can help secure your site. Learn how here!

This article describes how to add CAPTCHA protection to a web site running the Elgg social networking engine. 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

To add CAPTCHA protection to an Elgg site, follow these steps:

1. To download the CAPTCHA plugin, use your web browser to go to [http://community.elgg.org/plugins/1172111/1.8.15b/elgg-captcha](http://community.elgg.org/plugins/1172111/1.8.15b/elgg-captcha).

2. Click **Download 1.8.15b**, and then save the gutwacaptcha.zip file to your local computer.

3. Transfer the gutwacaptcha.zip file to your account [using FTP](/docs/using-ftp-file-transfer-protocol).
   > 📘 Note
   >
   > Transfer the file to the *mod* directory where you installed Elgg. For example, if you installed Elgg in the document root directory, transfer the file to the *public\_html/mod* directory. If you installed Elgg in a subdirectory, transfer the file that directory instead. For example, if you installed Elgg in a directory named *elgg*, transfer the file to the *public\_html/elgg/mod* directory.

4. Log in to your account [using SSH](/docs/using-ssh-secure-shell).

5. Type the following command:

```bash theme={null}
cd ~/public_html/mod
```

<Note>
  If you transferred the gutwacaptcha.zip file to a different directory, change to that directory instead.
</Note>

6. To extract the plugin files, type the following command:

```bash theme={null}
unzip gutwacaptcha.zip
```

7. Use your web browser to log in to Elgg as the administrator.

8. On the top menu bar, click **Administration**.

9. Under **Configure**, click **Plugins**.

10. Locate the **GutwaCaptcha 1.8.15b** plugin, and then click **Activate**. Elgg activates the plugin.

11. To modify the plugin's settings, click **Settings**. Select the settings that you want, and then click **Save**.

12. CAPTCHAs are now activated for your site. To test this, go to the Elgg home page on your site, and then click **Register** or **Lost password**. Elgg displays a CAPTCHA.

## More information

For more information about Elgg, please visit [http://elgg.org](http://elgg.org).

## Related articles

* [Adding CAPTCHA protection to your web site](/docs/adding-captcha-protection-to-your-web-site)