Web Browser Lockdown
Browser lockdown software limits access to specific web pages, applications and desktop functions such as print, screen capture and keyboard shortcuts on a computer. Unfortunately, however, it cannot detect cheating using other devices like cell phones and tablets.
Face-to-face examinations require human proctoring; for online tests, an automated proctoring tool may be available instead.
1. Restricting access to websites
Browser lockdown is one of the simplest solutions for protecting e-learning integrity. It monitors and limits access to desktop, web search results, applications – anything that might lead to academic dishonesty – which may lead to academic dishonesty. Unfortunately, when used improperly it can become less efficient or safe proctoring solution leading to computer breakdowns, hacker attacks, data breaches as well as student attempts at cheating using such browsers.
While browser companies work diligently to address backdoors and loopholes in their software, this alone may not be sufficient to protect users. Hackers use various other techniques to exploit users – disabling options that could otherwise be beneficial but which also present security risks – such as file downloading capabilities. Blocking this feature can significantly boost security; blocking it should be considered essential practice within any enterprise.
Implementing kiosk mode in Chrome or Edge can be an extreme way of restricting online access to websites. This feature forces the browser into full-screen mode, disables desktop shortcuts and the Ctrl+Alt+Del menu, as well as restricting access to Control Panel and removable USB drives – perfect for devices intended for public consumption such as digital signage or point of sale terminals.
To implement this system, instructors should first create a quiz in Canvas and configure it to require Respondus Lockdown browser (and Monitor, if applicable) download. They can post instructions for students to download the application prior to taking an exam, set up a practice quiz so students can familiarize themselves with Respondus software and ensure their computers are prepared for taking an actual exam, as well as bring some paper copies in case technical issues arise in class.
No matter the browser lockdown solution that your school uses, it is essential to educate your students on the risks involved with using their own device for online assessments. Be sure they understand it’s not acceptable to take an assessment designed for the Lockdown browser with another browser; explain to them that any such attempt would cause issues when taking an assessment that requires this specific browser and would eventually fail.
2. Monitoring student behavior
As online education becomes ever more prevalent, so too does the need for tools that ensure students don’t cheat during tests and quizzes. With modern online proctoring tools offering not only monitoring on-screen activity but also verify examinee identity verification as well as audio/video recording features – these tools make conducting exams at schools and colleges much simpler with confidence.
Lockdown browsers are one of the most widely-used online proctoring options, monitoring examinee activity while disabling browser tabs, desktop applications and functions that may interfere with their experience. Lockdown browsers may also be combined with tools like Respondus Monitor that check for multiple monitors and screen sharing features on a computer system.
An examinee who uses a browser lockdown will be prevented from accessing websites and services that might distract them during an exam. This works by displaying the web app in full-screen mode and disallowing users from resizing it or minimising it; additionally other browser tabs, keyboard shortcuts, function keys and screen capture features will be disabled and any attempts at unauthorised website access will be flagged for closer review by online proctoring software.
Lockdown browsers do not prevent students from accessing other devices such as mobile phones or tablets; in fact, students can potentially bypass these restrictions by downloading third-party hacking applications that bypass LockDown browser. It is essential that students understand that such applications could compromise the reliability of assessments results as well as put themselves in harm’s way.
Lockdown browsers must be utilized within an academic environment such as a classroom or laboratory in order to be truly effective, so as not to distract students with other activities on their computer or phone. Furthermore, teachers can ensure proper installation by checking that all necessary files exist on each student machine.
LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor are used by Indiana University as remote, automatically proctored testing tools during the 2020-21 academic year, provided instructors submit an Online Proctoring Acknowledging form. Detailed instructions for students taking exams using these tools can be found on IU Flexible Testing page.
3. Providing a safe environment
Browser lockdown is one of the more basic proctoring solutions for online student assessment, yet it may not provide adequate or safe proctoring of exams – especially with more sophisticated means such as multiple monitors or screen sharing tools being employed by exam takers. When used alone, browser lockdown may increase examee anxiety while not enough to stop cheating during tests or detect more sophisticated ways of invigilating these exams such as multiple monitors or screen sharing tools being utilized by invigilators.
Lockdown browser software restricts access to desktop features, apps, and anything that could promote academic dishonesty during a quiz or exam. It may also prevent students from using mobile phones or hotspots during an online examination to search the internet; however, keep in mind that browser lockdown cannot detect other people in the room or cheat sheets; therefore it should only be used alongside live proctoring in test centers.
Students typically cheat during online exams by copying and pasting text from another source into their responses to written questions. A browser lockdown can detect this form of cheating by restricting right-click and keyboard shortcut usage during tests as well as stopping students from accessing back, forward and refresh buttons.
Students can bypass lockdown browsers in several ways, including using “workaround” sites. It is important to keep in mind, however, that no security system can ever be guaranteed unhackable or invulnerable; the more complex or difficult something is, the less likely someone will be able to successfully use it during an exam.
Browser lockdown provides more than just security for student computers; it can also detect any attempts at unauthorised entry into their accounts, making this feature invaluable to colleges or universities that use password-protected login. Furthermore, teachers can utilize it when administering online exams in their classrooms to ensure no one else gains access to a student’s account.
4. Creating a task-specific device
Browser lockdowns are an invaluable way to secure devices that are used exclusively for specific tasks. For instance, when collecting customer data in person with mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, browser lockdowns provide a means of locking only that form webpage visible to customers and no others – protecting customer privacy while preventing employees from accessing other websites or programs on them – thus protecting it through various configuration options including website kiosk, whitelisting/blacklisting URLs or clearing browser history that can all be managed through Hexnode MDM portal settings.
Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor can be downloaded by students individually or enabled in an assessment created in Canvas by instructors. To do this, instructors simply check off “Require Respondus Lockdown Browser” under Advanced Settings of their quiz or test. Once this setting has been enabled, students will have to download and install Respondus before taking their exam; once installed it won’t allow for exit until graded results have been submitted for grading.
Instructors may wish to consider other strategies to prevent cheating during an exam in addition to mandating browser software use, such as providing proctors in on-campus exams – this allows for them to ensure students do not use other devices or programs during an examination, as well as provide paper cheat sheets as backup should the browser software experience problems during an examination session.
LockDown Browser can be an effective tool in combatting cheating in classroom settings, though it should not replace proctored exams on campus. To assist students preparing for exams that require this browser, faculty should include instructions for downloading and installing it in course syllabi and test instructions as well as referring them to Respondus Monitor’s resource site for additional support.