A Lockdown Browser is a specialized software tool that an instructor uses to maintain a secure testing environment during online assessment. It is downloaded into the system to ensure students remain focused within the test interface and avoid cheating. It is used by approximately 2000 institutions to maintain academic integrity.
But what is Respondus Lockdown Browser, and how does it help to create a secure environment during online exams? Read this blog to get answers!
Table of Contents
What Is Respondus LockDown Browser?
LockDown Browser® locks down the testing environment within a Learning Management System. It is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment. It prevents students from visiting any other website during exam.
In addition, installing it ensures that you are staying concentrated on your exam and do not visit any other website during your exam. Overall, it helps to maintain the integrity of the online.
How Does LockDown Browser Work?
Restricts Access to Other Websites
After installation, it does not allow you to access other web searches on your device. Additionally, screen-sharing and screen capture features are completely disabled. Thus, it’s restricting access to other applications.
Does Not Allow Keyboard Shortcuts
There is a restriction on the keyboard shortcuts like ALT+TAB, CTRL+C, and CTRL+V on this software. Therefore, it prevents you from task switching or copying and pasting information from the web.
Removes the Toolbar and Menu Option
Similarly, this system also removes toolbar and menu options to ensure you can only do essential actions such as Back or Refresh, during the digital assessment. It’s an excellent tool for simplifying online investigations and maintaining exam integrity.
Who Uses the Respondus LockDown Browser?
Different groups in education use this online navigation tool to make online exams more secure:
- Students: Use the lockdown browser to take online quizzes and exams as required by their teachers.
- Faculty (Teachers): Teachers need the use of the LockDown browser to stop exam malpractice and maintain fairness.
- Educational Institutions: Many schools, colleges, and universities use it to protect the integrity of their online tests.
- Learning Management Systems (LMS): Platforms like Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, and Schoology use it to secure online exams.
Is It a Proctoring Solutions?
No, it’s not a Proctoring solution for remote desktops. It can only restrict your access to other applications. It only locks down the testing environment and prevents multitasking.
However, students use a separate device to cheat on it, as it can not detect the use of mobiles and other devices. Hence, it’s not a Proctoring solution. It should be used in conjunction with Respondus Monitor to ensure that students complete their exam in an honest way.
How Does Respondus Monitor Differ from LockDown Browser?
| Aspect | Respondus LockDown Browser | Respondus Monitor |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | An exam monitoring tool that monitors the students' web pages. It helps to avoid cheating. | It is the affiliation with Respondus LockDown Browser that adds webcam and microphone for remote exams. |
| Web/App Access Restriction | Prohibits visits to course materials, websites, or software during the exam. | It is an additional monitoring tool of LockDown Browser. |
| Webcam/Microphone Requirement | Not required. | Required for enhancing the monitoring capabilities. |
| Recording & Monitoring | Does not record or monitor the student’s session in online testing. | Records the exam session and flags suspicious activity for instructor review. |
| Behavior & Identity Verification | No identity verification or behavior tracking in these monitoring technologies. | Provides identity verification, environment checks, and behavior monitoring. |
| Suspicious Activity Detection | Not applicable. | It flags any kind of unauthorized behaviour. |
| Best Use Case | Ideal for classroom-based proctored exams where instructors supervise. | Best for fully online or unsupervised exams needing extra security. |
| Instructor Review Capability | Not applicable. | Examinee can review recorded sessions for a live proctor. |
| Exam Submission Control | Students cannot exit the quiz until it’s submitted for grading. | Same control while also recording the process. |
| Identity Check Option | Not available. | It can require ID verification and environment scans. |
| Proctoring Level | Moderate as it prohibits access to, but does not record. | High as it combines access restriction with video-based proctoring features. |
| Key Focus | Restricting student actions. | Actively monitoring student behavior and enhancing exam security. |
Apart from these, you can’t visit the teaching and learning sites during your examination. Also, students are unable to print any kind of course material after installing it.
What Are the Limitations of Respondus LockDown Browser?
It is widely used in systems like Canvas to secure online quizzes. Despite having benefits, it has several limitations that overall affect the student experience and exam reliability.
- Limited Device Compatibility: Works mainly on Windows, macOS, iOS; Chromebook only. In addition, there’s no official support for Linux or Android.
- Restricted Browsing: Prevents switching to other apps or browsers, which can be problematic for students needing accessibility tools.
- Technical Issues: The use of use of lockdown browser causes crashes, freezing, or slow performance during exams.
- No Prevention Against External Recording: the use of Lockdown browser cannot stop students from using cameras or phones to record answers externally. Hence, it can’t prevent academic dishonesty fully.
- Dependence on Internet Connection: If you use the Respondus LockDown browser, then it requires a stable connection; interruptions may disrupt the exam.
- Limited Support for Assistive Technology: Not all screen readers or accessibility tools are fully compatible.
- No Guarantee of Academic Integrity Alone: Only monitors the testing environment on the device; it cannot fully prevent cheating. With Examity Cheating hacks, students can easily complete the exam.
- Potential Privacy Concerns: Some students may feel uneasy about monitoring or recording features.
Overall, while this web browser enhances digital exam security, its limitations and is best suited for controlled, in-person environments rather than fully remote exams.
How to Cheat on Respondus LockDown Browser?
You can use ExamSoft Cheating hacks to bypass the Respondus LockDown:
Use a Secondary Device
To bypass the Respondus LockDown browser, use a backup tool, such as a smartphone, to access the necessary resources to complete the exam.
Use a Virtual Machine
You can also use a virtual machine and bypass the lockdown browser settings. A virtual machine is a software program that creates a virtual computer environment on your system, and it helps to run multiple operating systems at once.
Take Help from Desktops.exe
Use a Desktops.exe that gives the user access to the desktop of another computer. You can use this program to run applications on a remote computer and view its desktop. You can acess your files while you are on the lockdown browser.
Hire an Expert for Your Test.
Hire an online class help expert to take your test on your behalf if you do not want to appear for the test. In addition, if you do not feel adequately prepared for the exam, then experts can also help you.
Textbook
Fortunately, a webcam can’t record the screen. So, you can keep an extra textbook book front of you, so it doesn’t appear on the webcam. Also, you can use blind spots to avoid detection. Also, if you want to remove the book, slide it away while maintaining eye level with the webcam.
Conclusion
Respondus LockDown Browser strengthens online exam security by limiting on-device actions and reducing simple shortcuts for misconduct. However, it has limitations such as technical issues, limited compatibility, and accessibility gaps.
You may also feel that you are not prepared enough for your exams or are struggling with lots of work. Fret not! With the right hacks, you can pass your online exam with flying colors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the LockDown Browser Safe?
Yes, LockDown Browser is a safe tool that helps to maintain academic integrity in virtual exams. It is a custom browser that locks access to visiting other websites during the test. Many institution mandates students to use the lockdown browser to maintain honesty in exams.
Does Respondus Track Eye Movement?
Lockdown Browser is a custom tool that only secures the remote examination environment by controlling your visit to websites and using shortcut keys.
It cannot detect any kind of eye movement, as it only prevents access to other applications. Additional proctoring tools, such as webcams, are required to detect eye movement.
How to Download LockDown Browser?
Download & Install
Use your school’s unique download link to get the correct version for Windows or Mac. iPad users can install the LockDown Browser app from the App Store (if allowed by your instructor). The setup takes just a few minutes and only needs to be done once.
Start the Browser
Open LockDown Browser from your desktop (or Applications on Mac). Some courses may ask you to log in first through your regular browser, then click “Launch LockDown Browser.”
Log In & Find Your Exam
When LockDown Browser opens, sign in to your course as usual and select your exam. You’ll see a message if you try to open the test in a normal browser.
Take the Exam
Once the test begins, you’re locked in; you can’t open other tabs, apps, or search online. After submitting, close the browser, and your computer returns to normal. If you need to leave early (like for an emergency), you’ll need to give a reason before exiting.
Tips for Success
- Take a short practice test first to check everything works.
- Review the Quick Start Guide in your course for extra help.
Does the LockDown Browser Record You?
No, it does not record students if not integrated with LockDown Browser by Respondus. The primary function is to secure the online exam environment.
Does LockDown Browser Detect Cheating?
No, it only restricts your computer, blocking you from printing, copying, accessing other applications, or visiting other websites during the exam.
However, if it is paired with a webcam proctoring tool, then it can flag suspicious behaviors like looking away from the screen, another person entering the frame, or not being in view. Last but not least, it cannot detect external devices like a smartphone used outside the camera’s view.
Can Students Cheat with LockDown Browser?
Yes, with some trips and tricks like using a smartphone, Desktops.exe, learners can cheat with the lockdown browser.
What Does Respondus LockDown Browser Do to Your Computer?
The exam is displayed in full screen and cannot be minimised, resized, or exited unless and until you submit. You can not visit any other websites after installing it. The keystroke combinations also prevented such printing and screen capture, copying and pasting, and right-click measures.
Does Respondus LockDown Browser Know If You Use Your Phone?
No, if you’re using any kind of secondary device during the exam, then it will not flag. Howevevr, with Respondus Monitor, it can detect the usage of a phone.
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