What a lockdown browser does, and what it does not
A lockdown browser is a restricted browser that opens the exam and limits what else the candidate can do on that computer while it runs, such as visiting other sites, switching apps or copying text. For the full explainer, see what is lockdown browser.
A lockdown browser is good at controlling the exam window. By itself, it can’t see the room, a second device, another person or software running outside its reach. Every browser has that limit, whoever makes it, because a browser only controls what happens inside the browser.
So when you think about lockdown browser cheating, the useful question is what covers the gaps the browser was never designed to cover, rather than whether the browser can be beaten.
Why "lockdown browser hack" searches miss the point
Most of what turns up under “lockdown browser hack” or “how to cheat using lockdown browser” leaves the browser untouched. These methods go around it: a phone on the desk, a second screen, someone else in the room, or a computer set up so something runs where the browser can’t see it.
For institutions, that is good news. Each method falls into a known category with a known control. A layered setup doesn’t need a perfect browser, since the camera, the monitoring signals, an optional desktop agent and human review each cover what the others miss.
The main bypass attempts, and the layer that catches each
We describe each attempt below only at the level of what it is.
A second device beside the computer
What it is: a phone or tablet used to look up answers or message someone while the locked exam stays on screen.
The layer that catches it: the camera, since the browser has no view of the desk. Proctorly flags phones and other devices in the camera’s view, and repeated glances down raise a behavior signal for review. See can proctored exams detect phones for the limits.
A second monitor or a mirrored display
What it is: an extra screen showing notes or another application, or the exam mirrored to a display someone else can see.
The layer that catches it: extra-monitor detection, plus desktop agent checks on Windows for extra or mirrored displays.
A virtual machine
What it is: the exam runs inside a virtual machine, which keeps software outside it hidden from the exam.
The layer that catches it: virtual-machine detection, backed by further checks from the Windows desktop agent.
Remote access to the computer
What it is: someone elsewhere watches or controls the computer through remote-assistance or screen-sharing software.
The layer that catches it: detection of remote-assistance tools, along with desktop agent checks on Windows for remote-access and recording tools and VPNs.
Overlays, extensions and AI browsers
What it is: software that floats over the exam window, browser extensions that alter the exam page, or browsers built around an AI agent.
The layer that catches it: detection of known overlay apps, AI browsers, browser extensions and known generative-AI tools from a maintained list. On Windows, the desktop agent also checks running apps, overlays, extra browser windows, tabs and extensions. It records that an app is open and never reads the candidate’s documents.
Another person in the room
What it is: a helper just out of view who reads out questions or suggests answers.
The layer that catches it: audio and behavior signals, which go to a person to review in context and are never treated as findings. Live proctoring levels add a proctor who can step in by chat or audio.
Questions about Respondus LockDown Browser
Respondus LockDown Browser is used widely in higher education, and plenty of searches name it, such as “respondus lockdown browser hack” or “how to cheat on respondus”. We answer the common questions neutrally and in general terms. Features and settings change, so check the vendor’s current documentation for exact behavior.
What is Respondus Monitor?
Respondus Monitor is the webcam-based companion to LockDown Browser, for institutions that want the session recorded as well as locked. The vendor’s current documentation explains what it records and how flags are reviewed.
Does a lockdown browser record you or use the camera?
A lockdown browser controls the exam window, and it doesn’t need a camera for that. Webcam recording usually comes from a separate proctoring or webcam feature that the institution switches on for a given exam. “Does lockdown browser record you”, “does lockdown browser use camera” and “can lockdown browser see you” therefore share one honest answer: it depends on how the institution set up the exam. Candidates should read the exam instructions, which ought to say what is captured. Our guide to what is lockdown browser covers recording and camera questions in full.
Proctorly always tells candidates what is captured before the exam starts, and there is no hidden monitoring.
Can a lockdown browser detect phones, second monitors or virtual machines?
No browser can see a phone; only a camera can. Whether a particular lockdown product detects second monitors or virtual machines depends on the product and its settings, so check the vendor’s current documentation. Proctorly detects phones in view, extra monitors and virtual machines, as described above.
How Proctorly layers the locked session
On Proctorly, the exam opens in a locked browser session on a laptop, desktop, tablet or mobile, in Chrome, Safari, Edge or Ulaa. That locked session is the first of several layers:
- Exam design. Question and option shuffling from item pools, section timers, locked or free navigation and adaptive testing, all on Proctorly’s online exam software.
- Identity through the session. Continuous face verification with replay rejection, photo ID capture and active liveness.
- Monitoring signals. AI tools, second devices, remote access, overlays, AI browsers, virtual machines, extensions, extra monitors and screen recording.
- The Windows desktop agent. Checks on the computer itself, for exams that need them.
- Human review. A person sees every flag. See human review proctoring.
If your exams stay inside Moodle, Proctorly can proctor them there without moving the exam. Moodle monitoring with OAuth and LTI 1.3 is live and supports Canvas, Blackboard, and other learning platforms.
Caught cheating on a lockdown browser exam: what happens next
On Proctorly, being “caught” never triggers an automatic penalty. This is what actually happens:
- A flag is raised with a clip, snapshot or event.
- A trained reviewer opens the case at the flagged moment, sees webcam, screen and events on one timeline, and records a decision with a required reason.
- Confirmed incidents go to your committee through the malpractice workflow, and no penalty applies before the committee decides.
- The evidence pack keeps the clips, the timeline, the reviewer’s reasoning and a tamper-evident audit trail, ready for an appeal.
If you’re a student reading this, a bypass attempt is precisely what these layers are built to record, and a person will look at it. If the exam software gives you trouble, contact support from the help link on your exam screen.
For the honest limits of each setup, see what we can and cannot see.
Frequently asked questions
Can a lockdown browser be hacked or bypassed?
Most attempts leave the browser alone and go around it with a second device, a second screen, a virtual machine, remote access or a helper in the room. That’s why a lockdown browser works best as one layer among several. Proctorly combines the locked session with identity checks, monitoring for these known threats, an optional desktop agent and human review of every flag.
Is a lockdown browser enough on its own for high-stakes exams?
For most high-stakes exams, no. It controls the exam window but can’t see the room, a phone or software running outside its reach, so institutions usually add webcam monitoring, identity checks and human review. For the highest stakes, Proctorly’s Windows desktop agent adds checks on the computer itself, and live proctoring puts a person on watch in real time.
Does a lockdown browser record you?
By itself, a lockdown browser controls the exam window and has no need to record you. Webcam recording usually comes from a separate proctoring feature the institution turns on. For a specific product, check the vendor’s current documentation. Proctorly tells candidates before the exam what is captured, which may include face, audio and screen.
What happens if a candidate is caught cheating on a lockdown browser exam?
On Proctorly, a detection raises a flag, and a flag carries no penalty. A trained reviewer looks at the flagged moment and records a decision with a reason. Confirmed incidents go to the institution’s committee through a malpractice workflow, with no penalty until it decides. The case keeps its clips, timeline and audit trail, so the candidate can appeal on the record.
Can Proctorly monitor an exam that runs in our LMS?
Yes. Moodle monitoring with OAuth and LTI 1.3 is live and supports Canvas, Blackboard, and other learning platforms. Proctorly monitors exams that stay inside Moodle in any browser, with sign-in and exam launch through Moodle’s own login, and D2L Brightspace also connects through LTI 1.3. You can also run exams directly in Proctorly without an LMS.