Lockdown Browser records your screen, keyboard, and webcam during a test — but only what the instructor set up
Lockdown Browser is a test-taking process that locks down your computer while you take an online exam. It can record your screen, your keystrokes, and your webcam feed, but only if your instructor turned on recording when they created the test. The browser itself does not decide what to capture — the person who set up the exam does.
If recording is enabled, Lockdown Browser captures everything you see and do on your screen during the test, plus audio and video from your webcam if your school configured it that way. You cannot turn off recording once the test starts. The recording uploads to your school's server after you finish and submit your exam.
This matters because Lockdown Browser is designed to prevent cheating during remote exams. Schools use it specifically because it can watch what you do in ways a regular browser cannot. Understanding what gets recorded — and what does not — helps you know what to expect before you sit down to take a test.
Key Takeaways
- Lockdown Browser records your screen, keyboard activity, and webcam only if your instructor enabled recording when setting up the test.
- You cannot disable recording once a test begins, and you will not see a warning that recording is active.
- The recording file stays on your school's server and is reviewed by your instructor or an automated system to flag suspicious behavior.
- Lockdown Browser does not record anything after you submit the test or when you are not actively taking an exam.
- Different schools configure Lockdown Browser differently, so what gets recorded depends entirely on your instructor's settings.
What Lockdown Browser actually captures during a test
When recording is turned on, Lockdown Browser captures a continuous video file of your screen from the moment you start the test until you submit it. This includes everything you type, every page you navigate to within the test, and every click you make. The recording also captures your mouse movements and the exact timing of when you answer each question.
If your school enabled webcam recording, Lockdown Browser simultaneously records video from your computer's camera. This shows your face, your eyes, and your physical surroundings. Some schools also record audio from your microphone so they can hear what you say or what is happening in your testing environment.
The keyboard recording captures every keystroke, including what you type in answer boxes and how long you pause between typing. This data can be reviewed later to detect patterns that suggest cheating — for example, if you suddenly type much faster than you normally do, or if you pause for long periods while looking away from the screen.
What Lockdown Browser does not record
Lockdown Browser does not record anything that happens outside the test window. If you have another monitor, Lockdown Browser cannot see it. It does not record your phone, your notes, or anything on your desk unless your webcam is pointed at it.
Lockdown Browser also does not record after you submit the test. Once you click the submit button and the test closes, recording stops. It does not monitor your computer when you are not taking a test, and it does not record your browsing or activity outside of Lockdown Browser itself.
The process cannot see inside other applications on your computer. If you have a chat window, email, or document open behind the test, Lockdown Browser does not record those — though it does prevent you from switching to other windows while the test is active, which is part of its lockdown function.
How to know if recording is enabled for your test
Your instructor should tell you before the test whether recording is turned on. Check your course syllabus, the test instructions, or ask your instructor directly. Some schools send an email reminder before the exam that states whether video and audio recording will be used.
When you open Lockdown Browser to start a test, you may see a notification that recording is active, though not all schools display this. The safest approach is to assume recording is on unless your instructor explicitly tells you it is not. Many schools enable recording by default for all remote exams.
If you are unsure, contact your instructor or your school's testing center before you start the exam. It is better to ask than to assume, especially if you have concerns about privacy or your testing environment.
What happens to the recording after you submit
The video file uploads automatically to your school's server after you finish the test. Your instructor can watch the entire recording or use automated analysis tools that flag suspicious moments — like when you look away from the screen for extended periods, when your eyes move in ways that suggest you are reading something off-screen, or when your typing speed changes dramatically.
Some schools use artificial intelligence to analyze the recordings and generate a report highlighting moments that might indicate cheating. Your instructor then reviews those flagged moments and decides whether to investigate further or accept your test as legitimate.
The recording is stored on your school's server, not on your computer. You typically cannot read or delete it. How long your school keeps the recording depends on their data retention policy — some delete it after a semester, others keep it for a year or longer.
Why schools use Lockdown Browser recording
Remote testing creates a challenge: instructors cannot see the room where you are sitting or watch you in real time. Lockdown Browser recording lets schools monitor test-taking behavior after the fact. The recording serves as evidence if there is a question about whether you cheated, and it can deter cheating because students know they are being watched.
Schools also use the recordings to improve their testing practices. They can see which questions confuse students, how long students spend on different sections, and whether certain testing environments seem to produce suspicious patterns.
For students, the recording is meant to create a fair testing environment where everyone is monitored equally. The idea is that if everyone knows recording is on, no one has an unfair advantage.
What you should do before taking a Lockdown Browser test
Clear your desk of anything you do not need for the test. Remove notes, textbooks, phones, and other devices. If your webcam is enabled, position it so it shows your face and upper body, and make sure the lighting is adequate so the camera can see you clearly.
Close all other applications and browser windows before you start. Lockdown Browser will prevent you from switching away, but closing them first eliminates any risk that something will pop up during the test. Disable notifications on your computer so alerts do not distract you.
Test your internet connection, webcam, and microphone before the test time. If recording is enabled and your webcam or microphone does not work, your school may require you to reschedule or may flag your test as suspicious because the recording is incomplete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see if Lockdown Browser is recording me right now?
Not reliably. Some versions show a recording indicator, but not all. Your instructor should have told you whether recording is enabled before the test started. If you are unsure, assume it is on unless you were explicitly told otherwise.
What if I look away from the screen during the test?
Looking away briefly is normal and expected. However, if you look away for long periods, especially repeatedly, the recording may be flagged for review. Instructors understand that students blink, shift position, and take brief breaks. Sustained eye contact with something off-screen is what triggers concern.
Can my school see the recording without my permission?
Yes. When you agree to use Lockdown Browser, you consent to recording as part of your school's testing policy. Your instructor and testing administrators can view the recording. Some schools also allow academic integrity officers to review recordings if cheating is suspected.
What if I fail the test — can the recording be used against me?
A low score alone does not trigger investigation. The recording is reviewed only if your instructor suspects cheating or if an automated system flags unusual behavior. If you straightforward did poorly on the test, the recording is not reviewed unless there is a specific reason to question the validity of your answers.
Does Lockdown Browser record my screen after I close it?
No. Recording stops the moment you submit the test and Lockdown Browser closes. It does not monitor your computer after the test is over, and it does not record anything when the process is not running.