A safe assessment browser, also known as a lockdown browser, is a secure testing environment that locks down the candidate’s device during an online exam to prevent access to unauthorized resources, applications, or tools. It restricts actions such as opening new tabs, switching applications, copying content, taking screenshots, or using communication software.
Unlike traditional lockdown browsers that require software installation, TestInvite delivers all lockdown controls directly through the browser. No downloads, plugins, or system-level installations needed.
TestInvite’s browser-based lockdown runs entirely within the browser, requiring no installation. Candidates can start exams instantly without dealing with admin permissions, device restrictions, or compatibility issues.
Because nothing is installed on the device, there are no version conflicts, update failures, or privacy concerns associated with third-party software. The system works consistently across operating systems, reduces IT support needs, and scales easily for high-volume exams.
A secure testing browser automatically forces itself into fullscreen mode and continuously monitors whether the candidate remains within this environment. If the candidate tries to exit fullscreen, the system immediately displays a warning, and can automatically close or terminate the exam.
The browser lockdown prevents candidates from opening new tabs or windows within the active browser session. The system detects when a candidate attempts to access another browser or navigate outside the secure exam window.
The lockdown browser restricts candidates from opening other applications during the exam session. The system detects attempts to switch to external tools such as messaging apps, screen-sharing software or additional connected devices.
Built-in browser translation features such as Chrome’s “Translate this page” option are disabled during the exam. The system prevents automatic translation prompts and detects attempts to activate page-level translation. This ensures that exam content remains in its original language and cannot be transformed or interpreted through browser-integrated translation tools.
Selecting or highlighting text within the exam interface is disabled to prevent content from being copied, extracted, or transferred to external tools. The secure exam browser detects attempts to interact with exam text, ensuring that question content remains contained within the secure environment.
Copying and pasting content from the exam interface is disabled. The system detects attempted clipboard interactions, ensuring that exam material cannot be extracted, transferred, or moved into external tools.
Right-click functionality is disabled throughout the exam interface, preventing access to browser menus, developer tools, or context actions that could expose, extract, or manipulate exam content. The system detects attempts to use context-menu interactions, ensuring the test environment remains secure and controlled.
Printing options are disabled during the exam. The system detects attempts to trigger print actions, ensuring that exam content cannot be exported, saved, or distributed outside the testing environment.
The system continuously logs browser interactions and records detailed contextual information whenever lockdown integrity is disrupted. Each event is captured together with the exact moment it occurred, the question the candidate was viewing, and the on-screen context at that time.
This provides a clear audit trail that allows administrators to understand not only what action happened, but also under which circumstances. For example, a lockdown break occurring while the candidate was on an unanswered question or during a correct response. These contextual logs help reconstruct the exam atmosphere and support accurate post-exam evaluation.
Violation settings allow you to define thresholds for how lockdown violations are measured and when the exam should be stopped. Each rule controls a different aspect of violation tracking:
A safe exam browser can only detect devices that are directly connected to the computer running the exam. If a device is not physically or electronically linked to the exam computer, the Safe Exam Browser cannot detect it.
No, a safe exam browser does not record the screen. Its purpose is to restrict device functionality, not to capture screen content. If screen recording is required, it must be enabled through a separate proctoring feature, not through the lockdown browser itself.
No, a safe exam browser alone does not use the webcam. Webcam usage is handled by the online proctoring system, not by the lockdown browser. Lockdown controls and proctoring are separate layers of security.
No, a safe exam browser alone does not access or use the webcam. Webcam usage is handled by the online proctoring system, not by the lockdown browser. Lockdown controls and proctoring are separate layers of security.
Yes, a safe exam browser operates within a controlled environment and does not access personal files, private data, or unrelated applications. Its role is to limit actions that could compromise exam integrity, not to monitor the entire device. TestInvite’s installation-free approach further enhances safety because no software is installed on the candidate’s computer.
Traditional lockdown browsers often require candidates to install a dedicated application on their device before taking an exam. While this approach provides deep system-level control, it also introduces significant technical, operational, privacy, and trust-related risks.
These limitations make installation-based browsers increasingly unsuitable for modern, large-scale, distributed testing environments.
Installed solutions frequently fail due to OS or hardware incompatibilities, outdated versions, antivirus/firewall blocks, insufficient permissions on corporate/school devices, broken or incomplete installations, and different installers for Windows, macOS, Linux, tablets, etc.These issues not only block exam entry but also multiply support needs.
“Did it install?”
“Does the version match?”
“Is the OS supported?”
“Did the antivirus block it?”
For large exam populations, this quickly becomes unsustainable.
Many candidates join from work laptops, school-managed devices, public/shared computers, company-locked machines. Installation is either not permitted or not possible, making participation impossible.
lock the operating system
control network traffic
detect VPNs/proxies
monitor system-level processes
check peripherals
restrict switching applications
This level of control feels intrusive and is increasingly considered unacceptable by candidates and institutions. It also drastically increases failure points.
A browser-based lockdown software is built to keep the test-taker fully confined to the exam window by enforcing and supervising fullscreen mode from the moment the test begins.
1. Fullscreen Activation Sequence
2. Continuous Monitoring and Logging
Once the test is underway, the system continuously verifies that the browser remains in a secure, focused state.
Leaving fullscreen mode (ESC key, OS gestures).
Loss of window focus (opening another app, clicking the taskbar, minimizing).
Attempts to open new tabs, windows, or contexts.
A timestamp,
The violation category,
How long the secure state was disrupted.
3. Enforcement Logic & Automatic Termination
When a violation occurs:
4. Administrative Review Tools
After the session:
When violations occurred,
How many breaches were detected,
The total time the candidate spent outside secure mode,
Whether the exam was terminated automatically due to policy violations.
Using a lockdown browser creates a secure and fair testing environment by preventing candidates from accessing unauthorized tools, resources, or applications during an exam.
They ensure that all activity stays within the approved exam window, reducing opportunities for cheating while protecting the confidentiality of exam content.
