---
title: "How to change the Default Captcha in Joomla 3"
description: "Using a captcha is an easy way to help prevent spammy activity on your website. For example, setting up a captcha can help prevent automated bots from registering for new accounts on your Joomla 3.0..."
url: https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/edu/joomla/joomla-3/default-captcha/
date: 2012-08-07
modified: 2021-11-19
author: "Brad Markle"
categories: ["Joomla", "Joomla 3"]
tags: ["Joomla v3"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# How to change the Default Captcha in Joomla 3

[![default-captcha-setting](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/edu_joomla-3_global-configuration_default-captcha-setting.gif)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/edu_joomla-3_global-configuration_default-captcha-setting.gif)

Using a captcha is an easy way to help prevent spammy activity on your website. For example, setting up a captcha can help prevent automated bots from registering for new accounts on your Joomla 3.0 website.

If you’re not already familiar with what a captcha is, you can [find more information here](/support/website/what-is-captcha/).

## To change the default captcha used in Joomla 3

1. [Log into your Joomla 3.0 admin dashboard](/support/edu/joomla/joomla-3/how-to-log-in-to-administrative-dashboard/)
2. In the left menu, click the **Global Configuration** link
3. In the top menu, ensure you are on the *Site* tab by clicking **Site**
4. Find the **Default Captcha** setting under the *Site Settings* heading. If you mouse over the text, *Default Captcha*, Joomla 3.0 will show you the following message: **Default Captcha:***Select the default captcha for your site. You may need to enter required information for your captcha plugin in the Plugin Manager.* By default, only the following options are available:– None Selected –Captcha – ReCaptcha ([click here](/support/edu/joomla/joomla-3/recaptcha-setup/) for ReCaptcha setup instructions) Make your desired change and then click the **Save** button in the top left.