> ## 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 OpenCart site

> Secure your OpenCart site from spam and bots with CAPTCHA protection. Learn how to add it here.

This article describes how to add CAPTCHA protection to an OpenCart 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

To add CAPTCHA protection to an OpenCart site, follow the appropriate procedure for your version of OpenCart.

### OpenCart 2.1

To enable CAPTCHA protection for OpenCart 2.1, follow these steps:

1. Log in to OpenCart as the administrator.

2. In the left pane, click the ![OpenCart - Extensions icon](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-opencart-extensions-icon.png) icon, and then click **Captcha**.

3. In a default installation, OpenCart provides two CAPTCHA options:

* **Basic Captcha:** This extension does not require registration with a third-party service.

* **Google reCAPTCHA:** To use this extension, you must sign up for a Google reCAPTCHA account if you do not already have one. To do this, please visit [https://www.google.com/recaptcha](https://www.google.com/recaptcha).

4. For the CAPTCHA extension you want to use, click the **Install** (![OpenCart - Install icon](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-opencart-install-icon.png)) icon.

5. Click the **Edit** (![OpenCart - Edit icon](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-opencart-edit-icon.png)) icon:

* If you are using the Basic Captcha extension:
  * In the **Status** list box select **Enabled**, and then click the **Save** (![OpenCart - Save icon](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-opencart-save-icon.png)) icon.

* If you are using the Google reCAPTCHA extension:

  * In the **Site key** text box, type the site key you obtained during registration.

  * In the **Secret key** text box, type the secret key you obtained during registration.

  * In the **Status** list box, select **Enabled**, and then click the **Save** (![OpenCart - Save icon](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-opencart-save-icon.png)) icon.

6. In the left pane, click the ![OpenCart - Settings icon](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-opencart-settings-icon.png) icon, and then click **Settings**.

7. Select your store, and then click the **Edit** (![OpenCart - Edit icon](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-opencart-edit-icon.png)) icon.

8. Click the **Option** tab.

9. Scroll to the bottom of the page, and then under **Captcha**, in the **Captcha** list box, select the extension you want to use.

10. In the **Captcha Page** area, select the pages you want to protect with CAPTCHAs.

11. Click the **Save** (![OpenCart - Save icon](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-opencart-save-icon.png)) icon. The new settings take effect immediately.

## Related articles

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