What is Image Challenge?
I can’t see the Image Challenge image. What do I do?
I just passed an Image Challenge and got another one immediately. What do I do?
Why do I have to take the Image Challenge multiple times?
What is Image Challenge?
Image Challenge is a challenge/response abuse prevention system. (Challenge/response is an algorithm/protocol used for identifying and blocking spam e-mails). If this system recognizes a possible spam e-mail being sent from your account, it holds the e-mail back and prompts you with the Image Challenge to confirm that you, and not a mailing robot or an automated program, are sending that e-mail. If you respond to the Image Challenge correctly, then it will let you send the e-mail that was held back. If you respond incorrectly, it will not let you send that e-mail.
It's one of our most effective tools in preventing automated programs from abusing your e-mail accounts. The word hidden in the image cannot be read by a computer and must be entered manually. Thus, it ensures that a real person and not an automated program or machine is trying to send e-mail. Here’s an example of Image Challenge.
I can’t see the Image Challenge image. What do I do?
If you do not see the image, please check whether your browser preferences are set to display images and try again. If that does not help, click the Can't see this image? link to hear the hidden word.
To display images in Internet Explorer®
1. Close any Internet browser windows that may be open on your computer.
2. Start Internet Explorer.
3. Click the Tools menu, and then click Internet Options.
4. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Restore advanced settings or Restore Defaults.
5. Click OK.
6. Click X to close all open windows.
To display images in Mozilla® Firefox®
1. Close any Internet browser windows that may be open on your computer.
2. Click Start, select All Programs or Programs, click Mozilla Firefox, and then click Mozilla Firefox.
3. Click Tools, and then click Options.
4. Click the Content tab, check the box next to Load images automatically, and then click OK.
5. Click X to close all open windows.
Back to FAQs
I just passed an Image Challenge and got another one immediately. What do I do?
If you successfully pass the Image Challenge and you are immediately asked to pass another, you may need to clear your Web browser cache and cookies. Once your cache and cookies have been cleared, try to pass the Image Challenge again.
Why do I have to take the Image Challenge multiple times?
If you find that you are being asked to pass the Image Challenge several times a day and clearing your cache and cookies still does not allow you to send e-mail, there’s a good chance that your computer is infected by a worm or virus. In this case, your computer is under the control of spammers or hackers who are using it to abuse the AOL® network.
If you fall into this category, we recommend that you run a virus scan on your computer. If you already have antivirus software installed and a virus scan comes back clean, check your software settings for the software’s last update time. If the last update time is greater than 29 days ago, you most likely have a virus that has disabled your virus-scanning software. In this case, please contact your antivirus software vendor’s help support line.
If you don't have antivirus software installed on your computer, you can install McAfee® Internet Security Suite - Special edition from AOL.
If none of the above-suggested solutions help resolve this problem, please take your computer to a technical specialist for further assistance with this issue.
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