12306 adopts graphic verification code system

A snapshot from the Railways Ministry's official ticketing website shows that users are required to click all the radios from the eight pictures to log in the system. [Photo: kyfw.12306.cn]

The 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, known as "chunyun," officially finished on March 16, 2015.

Many people using browsers with add-ons designs to help them buy seats at 12306.cn, the Railways Ministry's official ticketing website have found they do not work anymore.

These Web browsers allow users to cut ahead of others when buying train tickets online.

Popular software providers Beijing Kingsoft Software and Qihoo 360 both have the controversial programs available for download.

And according to 12306.cn, the reason these browsers do not work is because they have updated their verification system.

Now the 12306 website and the only official app "Railway 12306" have started to use a graphic verification code system.

Users will need to find eight pictures under a username and password on the verification area, then click certain picture according to registration's request to log in.

All the pictures contain objects that can be easily recognized, such as a camping tent, frogs and wires.

This change has raised heated discussions among Chinese netizens, especially 12306 users.

Some of them think this graphic verification code system feels like a popular game called "Find Objects," where players need to find an object among thousands of objects. Some even think the pictures are just too ugly.

However, many other express hope that this can help tickets buyers get a better service from the website.