Respondus LockDown Browser (Faculty)

The Respondus LockDown Browser is a customized browser that increases the security of online testing in Blackboard.  When using the Respondus LockDown Browser to take a Blackboard exam, users are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, access other applications, or close an exam until submitting it for grading.  Tests enabled to require the Respondus LockDown Browser are not accessible using any other browser.  Additionally, tests are shown full-screen and cannot minimized or resized; all printing, keystroke combinations, screen grab/capture, function keys and right-click menus are disabled; links to other web servers contained in the exam open in a new, secure window and prevent browsing beyond that page; and the Start button (Windows), system tray, and menu bars are removed.

To install the Respondus LockDown Browser:

Note:  Alternatively, several labs on the JSU campus have Respondus LockDown Browser installed.  This listing is subject to change as additional departments request installation of the browser in their labs:  106, 215, and 220 Merrill Building; 357, 259, and 361 Ayers Hall; 10^th floor lab and 37 OPAC floor machines at Houston Cole Library; Multimedia Instructional Laboratory in Ramona Wood. 

Windows computers:

1.     Navigate to http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/information.pl?ID=377332937.

2.     During the installation, select “Yes” if prompted to accept programs from Macrovision and Respondus.

3.     Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the install.

TIP: For additional assistance, please visit http://newsletter.respondus.com/december-2011/lockdown-browser-student-install/ to view a video illustrating the installation process.

Macintosh computers:

1.     Be sure that OSX 10.4 or higher is being used (512K RAM minimum).

2.     Navigate to http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/information.pl?ID=377332937.

3.     During the installation, select “Yes” when prompted to run the Java application.

4.     Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the install.

TIP: For additional assistance, please visit http://newsletter.respondus.com/december-2011/lockdown-browser-student-install/ to view a video illustrating the installation process.

To preview a test:

1.      Locate the “LockDown Browser” shortcut on the desktop and double-click it.  (For Macintosh users, launch “LockDown Browser” from the Applications folder.)

2.      If prompted to close a blocked program (e.g. screen capture, instant messaging, some email programs) choose “Yes”.  In some instances when blocked programs are closed, you may have to re-launch the LockDown Browser.

3.      Login to Blackboard with your username and password.

4.      Navigate to the appropriate course.

5.      Navigate to the test and select it.

6.      A pop-up window will ask whether the instructor has required a password for the test.

7.      If a test password is required to start the test, select the Yes option, enter the password, and click the Continue button.

8.      If the test has no password, select the No option.  Click the Continue button.

9.      Regardless of the selection made in the previous step, Respondus LockDown Browser will automatically fill in a special password on the next screen.  It is essential that this password field is not modified.  Click the Submit button.

10.  The test will then start.  Please note that once a test has been started with Respondus LockDown Browser, you cannot exit the test until the Submit button is clicked.

11.  Completing the test using Respondus LockDown Browser is exactly the same as completing a test in Blackboard without the Respondus LockDown Browser. 

To hide the Respondus LockDown Browser tool from student view:

Note: Hiding the Respondus LockDown Browser tool from student view is recommended to minimize student confusion about downloading, installing, and using the Respondus LockDown Browser.

1.      Verify that Edit Mode is ON.

Note: If Edit Mode is OFF, click the Edit Mode OFF button to turn ON.

2.      Click the Tools menu option in the Course Menu.

3.      Locate the Respondus LockDown Browser tool.

4.      Click the Hide Link button.

Other Information

Error checking:

The Respondus LockDown Browser has built in error checking to alert instructors when test settings have been modified to change the test name, the password, or the setting to open the test in new window. Any of these changes can cause the integration for Respondus LockDown Browser to malfunction (allowing students to access the test using browsers other than the LockDown Browser). If an instructor makes one of these changes, error checking will detect the change and display an Error status for the test under LockDown Browser Settings. Click the Fix Settings  button to correct the problem.

Note: Instructors should look for and resolve errors at the beginning of each term by accessing the Respondus LockDown Browser course tool.

Student access to the LockDown Browser:

If a student attempts to use any browser other than the Respondus LockDown Browser to take a test the student will see the error shown below which reads as follows: “This assessment requires that you use Respondus LockDown Browser.  Start Respondus LockDown Browser and navigate back to this assessment to continue.” 

The Respondus LockDown Browser continues to protect the integrity of your test even after the test has been completed.  If a student accesses My Grades and attempts to review a test submission using any browser other than the Respondus LockDown Browser the student will see the error shown below which reads as follows:  “You cannot review the assessment results without using Respondus LockDown Browser.  Start Respondus LockDown Browser and navigate back to this point to continue.”

For Additional Help

   If additional help is required after reviewing this article, please use the Help link in the top banner area of Blackboard.