SOX
Supports availability and auditability controls.
Scope
SCaptcha is not a compliance framework, but it supports SOX-aligned controls by reducing abuse and providing verifiable security logs.
This page maps SCaptcha 2.3.0 behavior to the named framework. It is not a certification or legal advice.
Availability and integrity
SCaptcha reduces automated abuse that can disrupt critical workflows and financial reporting systems.
Under-Attack Mode helps preserve availability during traffic spikes without relying on third-party services.
Audit trail support
Request logs provide a record of verification outcomes that can support audit trails.
Retention and access controls remain within your governance model.
Change management and governance
Configuration options are centralized in WoltLab, making changes traceable through your existing processes.
SCaptcha complements, but does not replace, broader SOX control frameworks.
Implementation checklist
Align log retention with your audit policy, restrict access to security data, and document configuration changes.
Use analytics to demonstrate availability improvements during high-risk periods.
SCaptcha 2.3.0 behavior
Each challenge uses its own cryptographically random 32-byte salt. Your WoltLab installation validates the salt, hash, algorithm, answer, and HMAC against the issuing session. The challenge expires after 60 seconds and does not require an external CAPTCHA provider.
This option is off by default. If you enable it, SCaptcha sends the visitor's public IP address to proxycheck.io for proxy, VPN, or Tor evidence. SCaptcha 2.3.0 sends tag=0 by default; administrators can opt in to provider logging. The IP address is transmitted for every lookup either way.
A pre-submit marker and the optional text/audio proof are valid for 5 minutes. Under-Attack mode uses a signed, user-agent-bound access cookie for 5 to 30 minutes; the default is 10. Sentinel can store a server-side rejection in a separate signed cookie for 10 minutes. Sentinel itself is off by default.
Request analytics are on by default. Logs can contain linkable operational data, including IP address, user agent, request, network and location fields, reasons, and submitted browser telemetry. Retention defaults to 90 days and can be set from 1 to 3,650 days. Turning analytics off stops new collection but does not erase existing rows or exports.
What operators need to review
Document enabled features, limit access to security logs, and assess optional external services separately. SCaptcha does not replace legal review or accessibility testing of the complete website.
Enable only the options you need. Update privacy and cookie notices, restrict access to analytics and logs, and test the actual form integration before launch.