We recently conducted a webinar series on Respondus LockDown Browser. After each session, we have a question/answer period for attendees. Questions come from all directions, but there are several that seem to come up each time.

The most common type of question relates to whether certain applications or functions on the computer can circumvent the LockDown Browser software. Questions like:

“What if students have a video capture program running in the background?”

“Can function keys or keystroke combinations like ALT+, Ctrl+, Command+ be used to launch other applications?”

“Will an instant message pop up if initiated externally?”

“What about dual monitors ... or virtual machines ... or extended desktops ... or ... ?”

The answer to each of these questions is basically the same. Over the years, we’ve fixed every imaginable exploit or work-around that users have come up with. Hundreds of institutions have campus-wide licenses of Respondus LockDown Browser, and the first thing they usually do is look for ways to break out or exploit it. So, if a possible exploit comes quickly to mind, there’s a good chance it has already been addressed.

Here are some other questions that often came up in the webinars:

• Is Respondus LockDown Browser compatible with Snow Leopard (the new OS for Macintosh) and Windows 7?

  Answer: Yes. The latest version of LockDown Browser works with the newest releases of both operating systems.

• Do assessments need to be created with the Respondus exam authoring tool in order to be used with Respondus LockDown Browser?

  Answer: No. Any assessment within the course management system can be enabled for use with Respondus LockDown Browser.

• What course management systems does Respondus LockDown Browser work with?

  Answer: Respondus LockDown Browser integrates with ANGEL, Blackboard (Basic/Enterprise 6.3-9.x, Vista/CE), Desire2Learn, and Moodle. Pearson eCollege distributes a rebranded version called “ExamGuard.”

• What does it cost?

  Campus-wide pricing starts at $1945; see the pricing section of our website for complete details.

• Can LockDown Browser be installed using desktop management software or a silent install?

  Answer: Yes and yes. See this related article.

The Respondus LockDown Browser section of our website provides additional information about this product. You may also find the “related articles” listed below useful. And, finally, if you want to know the top reasons that Respondus LockDown Browser is used, take a look at this PDF: Top 10 Reasons to Use Respondus LockDown Browser.

Related Articles:
Tech Tip: Silent Installations of Respondus LockDown Browser
Respondus LockDown Browser for Moodle
Respondus LockDown Browser for ANGEL
Two Training Tools for Respondus LockDown Browser
Using Respondus LockDown Browser with Audio, Video and PDFs
Five Little-Known Reasons to Use Respondus LockDown Browser

Source: Respondus, Inc. (www.respondus.com)
Originally Published: November 3, 2009

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