Get Your Free Guide to Lockdown Browser

What Lockdown Browser Is and How It Works

Lockdown Browser is a specialized web browser designed to create a secure testing environment for students taking online exams. It was developed by Respondus, a company that creates educational technology tools. The browser restricts what students can do on their computer while taking a test, which helps prevent cheating and ensures that test results reflect each student's actual knowledge.

Understanding Facebook's Evolution as a Platform →

The software works by locking down a computer's functions during an exam. When a student opens Lockdown Browser to take a test, the browser prevents them from accessing other programs, opening new browser tabs, taking screenshots, copying and pasting content, or accessing the clipboard. It also blocks access to external websites, files, and applications that might allow someone to look up answers. The browser monitors the testing environment and can record activity during the exam session.

Lockdown Browser is used by many colleges, universities, and online educational platforms. Instructors choose to use it when they want to administer exams with some level of proctoring or monitoring. The software is compatible with most learning management systems like Canvas, Blackboard, Brightspace, and Moodle, which are platforms that schools use to deliver courses online.

One important feature is that Lockdown Browser can work with or without a webcam. When used with a webcam and a proctor (either live or recorded), it provides what's called "proctored" testing, where someone monitors the student during the exam. When used without proctoring, it simply prevents access to outside resources but doesn't have someone watching. Many institutions use the non-proctored version for lower-stakes quizzes and assessments.

Practical Takeaway: Understanding what Lockdown Browser does and doesn't do helps students prepare appropriately. Knowing that it blocks external resources means students should review course materials before starting an exam, not plan to look things up during the test.

Why Schools and Testing Programs Use Lockdown Browser

Educational institutions and testing organizations implement Lockdown Browser for several specific reasons related to maintaining test integrity. When exams are administered online, there's a risk that students could use unauthorized resources, communicate with others, or otherwise gain unfair advantages. Lockdown Browser addresses these concerns by creating a controlled testing space that works similarly to a traditional classroom exam, but in a digital format.

Free Information Guide for Senior Living →

The shift to online learning, especially after 2020, created a widespread need for testing solutions that could be administered remotely. Before widespread online education, most exams happened in physical classrooms where proctors could monitor students directly. As more courses moved online, schools needed technology that could replicate some of those safeguards. Lockdown Browser became one of the most widely adopted solutions because it works across different platforms and institutions.

Different types of institutions use Lockdown Browser for different purposes. Large universities might use it for standardized placement tests or general education exams. Smaller online colleges might use it for most of their course assessments. Professional certification programs use it to ensure that credentials mean something—that the person who earned a certification actually knows the material. Healthcare programs, IT training, and other fields where competency matters have adopted the technology.

Schools also use Lockdown Browser because it provides documentation. The browser records when exams were taken, how long they lasted, and other metadata. This creates a record that can be useful if there are questions about test integrity or if a student needs to dispute their results. Some versions can record video and audio, creating a complete record of the testing session.

Research on academic integrity shows that when students know their testing environment is monitored or restricted, they're less likely to attempt cheating. This creates a more level playing field where grades reflect actual learning rather than access to outside help or resources. For students taking exams legitimately, this means their grades are compared fairly to their peers' grades.

Practical Takeaway: Recognizing why your school uses Lockdown Browser—to ensure fair testing—can help you understand that the restrictions aren't punitive; they're designed to protect the value of everyone's grades and credentials.

Understanding System Requirements and Compatibility

Before using Lockdown Browser, students need to ensure their computer meets the basic system requirements. The software works on Windows and Mac computers, though specific version requirements exist for each operating system. For Windows, the system typically needs to be Windows 7 or later, though newer versions of Lockdown Browser require Windows 10 or 11. For Mac users, the requirement is usually OS X 10.11 or later, with newer versions requiring macOS 10.13 or higher.

Free Guide to USPS Mail Delivery Information →

The browser also has specific requirements for internet connectivity and hardware. A stable, wired internet connection is strongly recommended, though many students use Wi-Fi successfully. The computer needs at least 200 megabytes of free disk space to install the software. RAM requirements are minimal—2 gigabytes is typically sufficient. If a school plans to use proctoring with a webcam, the computer obviously needs a functioning webcam and microphone.

One common issue students encounter is browser extensions or security software that can interfere with Lockdown Browser. Antivirus software, password managers, ad blockers, and VPNs can sometimes cause problems. Schools typically provide guidance on what to disable before taking an exam. Chrome extensions, in particular, can cause conflicts because Lockdown Browser uses a modified version of the Chromium browser engine.

Testing the setup before an actual exam is crucial. Many schools offer practice tests where students can verify their system works properly with Lockdown Browser. This practice run lets students identify any compatibility issues, internet problems, or technical glitches in advance rather than during an actual exam. Technical support personnel at schools can often help troubleshoot problems during this practice phase.

Mobile devices and tablets generally cannot run Lockdown Browser, though this continues to evolve. The software is designed for full computers where the operating system can be properly locked down. Students who only have access to tablets or smartphones should contact their instructor or school's IT department for guidance on alternative testing arrangements.

Practical Takeaway: Check your computer's system requirements and run any practice tests well before your actual exam. This gives you time to resolve any technical issues without the stress of needing to fix problems on exam day.

What to Expect During a Lockdown Browser Test Session

When you open Lockdown Browser to take a test, the interface is fairly straightforward, but it looks and feels different from a regular web browser. The browser window will open in a full-screen mode that prevents you from minimizing it or switching to other applications. The address bar and other typical browser controls are either hidden or non-functional. You'll see only the test interface itself—usually presented through your school's learning management system—and very basic navigation buttons to move through questions.

Get Your Free SSH Security Guide →

Before the test begins, you'll typically need to acknowledge a warning or agreement statement explaining that the browser is restricted and may be recording your activity. This is a standard notification that appears on nearly every Lockdown Browser exam. Read it carefully, as it explains what monitoring is happening during your specific test. Some tests are recorded; others are not. Some have live proctors watching; others are simply monitored by software checking for suspicious patterns.

Once the test starts, you'll navigate through questions using the interface provided by your school's learning management system. Depending on how your instructor set up the test, you might be able to move backward and forward between questions, or you might need to proceed in order. Time limits, if present, will be visible on screen and typically count down as you work. The exact layout depends on your school's system, not on Lockdown Browser itself.

If your test includes proctoring with a webcam, you'll see prompts to position your camera properly before the test begins. A live proctor or recording system will monitor your environment and your behavior during the exam. Many schools ask students to show their desk, the area around their computer, and sometimes their hands to confirm they're not hiding notes or other materials. Follow these instructions carefully, as proctors may pause an exam if they can't see the testing environment properly.

Common restrictions you'll experience include inability to open new browser tabs, use copy and paste functions, access the browser's back button for the broader internet, or open other applications. If you try to do any of these things, the browser typically won't allow the action silently, or in some cases, it may flag the attempt and notify a proctor. Some versions can detect if you switch away from the browser window, and this activity is recorded.

Practical Takeaway: Prepare your testing space before you begin—