Honorlock is a proctoring tool that watches you take online exams
Honorlock is a Chrome extension that your college installs on your computer to monitor you while you take tests online. It uses your webcam and microphone to watch for cheating — things like looking at notes, talking to someone else, or using unauthorized websites. The extension runs in the background during the exam and records video of you and your screen.
Your school decides whether to use Honorlock, not you. If your college uses it, you will see it listed in your course materials or your learning management system (usually Canvas, Blackboard, or D2L). The extension only activates when you start an exam that requires it — it does not monitor you the rest of the time.
Honorlock is made by a company called Honorlock Inc. and is used by hundreds of colleges across the United States. It competes with other proctoring tools like Proctorio, ProctorU, and Examity. All of them work roughly the same way: they watch, record, and flag suspicious behavior for a human proctor or your instructor to review.
Key Takeaways
- Honorlock requires you to install a Chrome extension and give it access to your webcam, microphone, and screen before you can take a proctored exam.
- The extension records video and audio of you and your screen during the entire exam, and that recording is stored by Honorlock or your school.
- Honorlock flags behavior it thinks is suspicious — like looking away from the screen, multiple faces in the camera view, or typing in a search box — but a human still reviews the flag before any action is taken.
- You cannot use Honorlock on a phone or tablet; you need a laptop or desktop computer with a working webcam and a stable internet connection.
- If you have concerns about privacy or accessibility, talk to your school's disability services or test center before exam day, because some accommodations require advance notice.
How Honorlock watches during an exam
When you click "Start Exam" in a course that uses Honorlock, the extension takes control of your screen. It locks you into the exam window so you cannot switch to another tab or process. Your webcam stays on the entire time, pointed at your face and upper body. Your microphone listens for background noise or voices.
The extension also monitors your keyboard and mouse. It can see what you type, where you click, and how long you pause. It watches your eyes using the webcam — if you look away from the screen for too long, it flags that. It detects if more than one face appears in the camera view. It can see if you open a second monitor or if your screen resolution changes mid-exam.
All of this data — the video, the audio, the keystroke timing, the flagged moments — gets sent to Honorlock's servers. Your school can access the recording and the report. Honorlock also uses artificial intelligence to scan the video and flag moments that look suspicious, but a human proctor or your instructor makes the final call about whether something was actually cheating.
What gets flagged as suspicious behavior
Honorlock's system flags many things automatically, but not all of them mean you cheated. Common flags include: looking away from the screen for more than a few seconds, multiple people visible in the camera, background noise or voices, typing in a search box, opening a second browser tab, using a phone, or writing on paper during the exam.
Some of these flags are legitimate concerns — using Google during an exam when you are not supposed to is cheating. Others are not — looking down to write your student ID number on scratch paper, or a roommate walking past your door, or a dog barking in the background. Your instructor reviews the video and decides whether the flag represents actual cheating or just normal exam behavior.
If your instructor thinks you cheated, they will contact you. The process varies by school, but usually you get a chance to explain what happened before any grade penalty is applied. You can also request to see the video and the flagged moments yourself.
Privacy and data storage concerns
Honorlock records video and audio of you and your entire screen during the exam. That recording is stored on Honorlock's servers, and your school has access to it. The recording is not automatically deleted — it stays in the system for as long as your school keeps it, which varies by institution. Some schools keep exam recordings for one semester; others keep them for years.
The extension also collects metadata: your IP address, your device type, the timestamp of your exam, and behavioral data like how long you paused between questions. This data helps Honorlock improve its detection system, but it also means information about your exam-taking patterns is stored outside your school's direct control.
Honorlock's privacy policy says the company does not sell your data to third parties and does not use your exam video for marketing. However, the company does use anonymized data to train its artificial intelligence system. If you have concerns about what data is collected or how long it is kept, ask your school's test center or IT department — they can tell you your school's specific data retention policy.
Technical requirements and setup
You need a Windows or Mac laptop or desktop computer to use Honorlock. It does not work on phones, tablets, or Chromebooks. Your computer must have a working webcam and microphone — built-in ones are fine. You need a stable internet connection; if your connection drops during the exam, Honorlock will pause the test and may flag the disconnection.
Before exam day, you install the Honorlock extension from the Chrome Web Store. The extension asks for permission to access your camera, microphone, and screen. You have to grant these permissions or the exam will not start. Once installed, the extension stays on your computer until you remove it — it does not uninstall itself after the exam.
Most schools recommend you test your setup ahead of time using Honorlock's system check tool. This tool verifies that your camera and microphone work, that your internet speed is fast enough, and that the extension installed correctly. Running this check before your actual exam can prevent technical problems on test day.
Removing Honorlock after your exam
The Honorlock extension stays installed on your computer after the exam ends. It does not monitor you when you are not taking a proctored exam, but it is still there. You can remove it from your Chrome extensions menu at any time by clicking the trash icon next to Honorlock in your extensions list.
Some students remove it when ready after their last exam of the semester. Others leave it installed in case they need to take another proctored exam later. There is no penalty for removing it — your school will just ask you to reinstall it if you need to take another proctored test.
If you have questions about whether you should remove it or whether your school needs it to stay installed, check with your test center or the course syllabus. Some schools have specific policies about extension removal, though most do not.
Accessibility and testing accommodations
If you have a disability or a documented testing accommodation, tell your school's disability services office before you take a Honorlock exam. Some accommodations — like extra time, a separate testing room, or the ability to use assistive technology — require advance setup with Honorlock or your school's test center.
For example, if you use a screen reader or speech-to-text software, Honorlock needs to know that in advance so it does not flag your assistive technology as cheating. If you need to take the exam in a testing center instead of at home, your school has to arrange that with Honorlock. If you need a sign language interpreter, that person will be visible in the camera, and your school needs to document that accommodation in advance.
Do not assume Honorlock will automatically work with your accommodation. Contact disability services or your test center at least one week before your exam to make sure everything is set up correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Honorlock see my other monitors or devices?
Honorlock can detect if you have a second monitor connected, and it flags that as suspicious. It cannot see what is on the second monitor, but the flag itself may trigger a review. If you have a second monitor, disconnect it before the exam. Honorlock cannot see your phone or tablet unless they are in the camera's view.
What happens if my internet cuts out during the exam?
If your connection drops, Honorlock pauses the exam and may flag the disconnection. When you reconnect, you can usually resume where you left off, but the interruption is recorded. If this happens repeatedly, your instructor may ask you to retake the exam in a testing center instead.
Can I use Honorlock on a Chromebook?
No. Honorlock only works on Windows and Mac computers. If your school uses Honorlock and you only have a Chromebook, contact your test center — they may let you use a school computer or take the exam in a testing center instead.
Does Honorlock work if I am using a VPN?
Honorlock can detect VPN use and may flag it. Some schools allow VPNs and some do not — check your school's policy. If you need a VPN for accessibility or security reasons, talk to your test center before exam day so they can approve it in advance.
Who can see the video recording of my exam?
Your instructor and your school's test center staff can access the recording. Depending on your school's policies, academic integrity staff may also review it if cheating is suspected. The recording is not shared with Honorlock staff unless your school specifically requests a review, and it is not shared with other students or the public.