Is it just me?

Is it just me or are those "security" words really hard to read? In order to place an order, create a new account, post a comment, or whatever these days I have to complete a very complicated task. Correctly decipher 8-20 very swirly, italicized, letters encoded in a grid, that make no sense at all, and type the secret code in the little box below. I can't tell you how many times I fail at this seemingly simple task.
Some sites offer an option for the visually impaired. Now, if you think understanding the lady at the Burger King drive-thru is complicated, don't bother with this option on Ticketmaster. There is a crazy amount of background noise, and then a spooky voice practically whispers numbers intermittently. Your task is to copy down the numbers and then type them in the box provided. Seriously?
I realize that this little security feature is to protect my identity, I'm not complaining, I'm just saying sometimes it is a little tricky. I think the security feature is to make sure that I am not a computer, but it reality I think it protects not so bright people from entering the dangerous world of internet transactions - I may just be one of those people that shouldn't have the power of the internet at my fingertips.