Secure Lockdown Browser
Respondus LockDown Browser is a proctoring tool designed to assist faculty in designing online quizzes that prevent students from printing, copying, visiting another URL or accessing applications on an examinee’s device. It also features Respondus Monitor which records examinees during an exam session.
1. Security
Secure browsers offer users a safe browsing environment by locking down an endpoint’s operating system to restrict access to any websites not trusted by the system, helping prevent data theft by only making safe websites available to users – something particularly essential for businesses needing to access sensitive information online, like banking and financial institutions.
Lockdown browsers provide a safe and secure browsing experience by reducing the risk of hacker attacks and data breaches. They support various security measures, including restricting how many tabs and windows can open at once, disabling copy-paste functions and blocking external applications.
Lockdown browsers can help enhance the integrity of online assessments by creating a controlled environment and discouraging students from cheating. By restricting access to certain resources, administrators are better able to verify results of assessments to ensure they were completed honestly. Moreover, using such browsers enables administrators to remotely monitor students’ devices in real-time allowing them to detect suspicious activities and take appropriate actions accordingly.
However, this software cannot guarantee 100% cheating prevention. While it detects some forms of dishonesty in online exams – like screen-sharing and multiple monitors – it cannot detect all forms of cheating and ensure integrity during assessments. Therefore, investing in an effective proctoring solution to detect cheating is an absolute necessity to guarantee honest assessments online.
Respondus LockDown Browser is an invasive piece of software installed on test-taker computers that acts as an online proctor during exams, monitoring device, webcam and microphone usage to block desktop features, web searches, apps or anything that could lead to academic dishonesty. While supposedly eliminating human proctors entirely from exams, its monitoring features violate student privacy.
An RLDB exam requires the student to download and install Respondus LockDown Browser Apple app on their iPad, along with closing any other applications before starting formative testing. Unfortunately, the RLDB cannot be used with phones such as iPhones or other mobile devices.
2. Convenience
Browser lockdown software aims to stop students from searching the web, copying information from it or right-clicking while taking an online quiz, test or exam. It also can block common cheating tools such as screen sharing and multiple monitors; however it doesn’t prevent students from using other devices such as phones or tablets during assessments. As computer-based assessments become more prevalent it’s vital that students don’t cheat during these assessments.
Browser locks can be used alone or combined with other proctoring solutions for added layers of security, making it more challenging for students to find ways around it. In addition to browser locks, many institutions also employ student verification systems which require students to prove their identity via webcam in order to demonstrate that it’s actually real people taking a quiz, test or exam and not some sort of automated robot taking over from them.
Respondus Lockdown Browser is a specialized browser designed to help instructors ensure students use it for online quizzes, exams and assessments in Pilot. The browser makes assessments full-screen while disallowing printing, copying, right-clicks and web searching – significantly reducing opportunities and likelihood for cheating during exams.
To create an exam that requires Respondus Lockdown Browser, use Blackboard’s Add a Test link and enter its name before choosing from the Security Option drop-down menu that Respondus Lockdown Browser is necessary for taking this exam.
If a student is having problems with their browser, they should contact either the IT Help Desk or their instructor for assistance. Furthermore, it may be beneficial for them to restart their device in order to fully exit their browser session.
Lockdown browsers cannot prevent all forms of cheating in face-to-face situations with human proctors present; therefore, pairing one with live proctoring solutions such as 42Gears SureMDM for business is key in safeguarding employee safety while still enabling them to take the tests necessary to reach success.
3. Flexibility
Though lockdown browsers can help protect academic integrity, they won’t prevent students from cheating in other ways. As with other proctoring technologies, lockdown browsers should be used together with others to reduce the risk of cheating; human proctors should still be present when administering exams in-person; however, as online assessments become the norm these technologies can ensure students only answer questions that have been presented by an assessor.
Kiosk browser lockdown solutions like 42Gears Secure Lockdown Browser offer additional safeguards that protect the integrity of online assessments, such as restricting external distractions and activities that violate policies. They do this by blocking phishing sites, malware sites and any malicious websites; as well as by preventing data breaches and vulnerabilities – eliminating this risk makes online assessments safer for both educators and learners.
As well as blocking potentially malicious sites, these solutions allow administrators to configure browser settings to allow certain sites and restrict others. These features are particularly beneficial for educational institutions and organizations who need to administer tests or other high-stakes assessments across an expansive audience.
As online assessments become more prevalent, educators are increasingly turning to specialized software solutions in order to reduce student cheating. Although these tools cannot prevent students from cheating using other means – like paper cheat sheets – these specialized programs do provide an extra layer of security against fraudulence. They also prevent students from trying to work around these tools themselves which reduces chances of success and decreases fraud potential.
Lockdown browsers can be configured to block right mouse click, web search, printing and using their device’s camera or microphone during exams as a possible means of cheating. Furthermore, some instructors require students to use special browsers (Respondus LockDown Browser or Respondus Monitor) in order to access online quizzes and tests in Pilot.
As with all assessments, it is critical that students clearly understand what is expected from them for these types of assessments. You can achieve this by providing clear instructions and addressing any concerns before the assessment begins. Furthermore, encourage them to test out and install browser on their devices beforehand to ensure proper functioning.
4. Integrity
With more assessments being administered online, universities and other institutions must take measures to prevent cheating during these tests. Respondus LockDown Browser makes an excellent solution, acting as an essential component of online proctoring for students taking exams online.
LockDown Browser prevents access to an assessment website from any other browser and disables many functions (printing, copying and going to another URL) which make it impossible for students to search for answers during a test or attempt any kind of cheating during it.
Additionally, this application blocks unwelcome windows shortcuts, gestures and keystrokes as well as areas of Chrome or Edge which could allow access to websites not approved for kiosk use. It can run seamlessly as a kiosk on Chrome OS, Windows or any platform with internet connectivity.
However, some learners have encountered challenges with the current implementation of these applications and features. Some of these stem from lack of transparency allowed in software design – the lack of visibility can create distrust by learners that impedes their ability to complete an exam fairly online.
Some learners have reported feelings of increased anxiety while using these products, which can have an adverse impact on their exam performance. Thankfully, these issues are being addressed as the industry evolves in this space.
Inteset Secure Lockdown Browser Helper helps to alleviate some of these challenges by intercepting students’ actions and offering a seamless user experience that ensures students return directly back into their original kiosk application without interruptions or breakage. This feature ensures that lockdown function only applies during an assessment session and not between sessions, or for any other purpose; additionally it does not alter learner device security settings and no sensitive or personal data is collected by browsers.