Introduction
Respondus LockDown Browser may automatically apply a restriction (“ban”) when activity outside the LockDown Browser testing environment is detected during an exam session. Once students receive a restriction, they are unable to take any assessments where Respondus is enabled. These restrictions are generated by Respondus software, not by TLOS or instructors. A detection indicates that system activity occurred in violation of Respondus terms of use but does not determine intent or independently confirm academic misconduct. Respondus reports the type of system activity detected, but does not identify specific applications or processes.
This article explains what a Respondus ban means, what information is available to instructors, and how these situations are typically handled.
For student guidance, see: Respondus LockDown Browser Bans: Student Guidance.
Key Points for Instructors
- A Respondus detection does not independently confirm academic misconduct.
- A Respondus ban indicates that activity occurred outside the expected testing environment.
- System detections are technical indicators recorded by the software and do not provide a complete picture of what occurred on the student’s computer during the exam.
- If a student reports a ban, they should contact 4Help and provide the ban reference code displayed by LockDown Browser.
Contents
Instructions
Understanding Respondus LockDown Browser Bans
A Respondus LockDown Browser ban prevents a student from launching exams that require LockDown Browser. When a ban is active, the exam session may briefly start before being terminated, and the student will be shown a ban reference code that the student must provide when seeking support.
Because the restriction is applied to the student’s Respondus account, it prevents the student from launching any exam that requires LockDown Browser until the ban is removed. The restriction applies only to LockDown Browser exam sessions and does not prevent the student from accessing other areas of Canvas.
A ban indicates that LockDown Browser detected activity outside the permitted testing environment. How these detections should be interpreted, and their limitations, are explained in the section below.
What Triggers a Respondus Ban
LockDown Browser bans are a security measure used only in limited situations when the software detects activity or system modifications associated with attempts to bypass the browser’s security protections.
These are examples of system-level behaviors associated with detections and may not reflect the exact cause in a specific case.
Examples of behaviors that may trigger a ban include:
- Running LockDown Browser inside a concealed or hardened virtual machine
- Installing software that modifies operating system security protections (such as kernel drivers)
- Using applications that hook system libraries, spoof operating system APIs, or tamper with memory
- Using services or tools that allow another person to remotely access the computer or take the exam
These techniques violate the LockDown Browser Terms of Use because they can allow access to other applications or resources during an exam.
In most cases, a ban occurs after LockDown Browser detects the same bypass condition during more than one attempt to start the exam. This means a student typically attempts to launch the exam multiple times while the same restricted system condition is still active.
Because these detections occur at the operating system level, the specific application or process responsible is typically not visible to instructors or to TLOS.
Interpreting Respondus Detections
A Respondus detection indicates that LockDown Browser identified activity outside the permitted testing environment during an exam session.
However, detections have important limitations:
- A detection does not determine intent
- A detection does not independently confirm academic misconduct
- A detection does not identify the exact application or system process that triggered the event
Respondus provides limited information about the specific application or system process that triggered the detection. Instructors and TLOS do not have visibility into the exact software or system process involved. Without direct access to the student’s computer at the time of the exam, it is typically not possible to determine exactly what caused the detection.
For this reason, Respondus detections should be interpreted as technical indicators recorded by the software rather than definitive records of student behavior.
What Happens When a Ban Occurs (Student Support Process)
When a student receives a LockDown Browser ban, they are prevented from launching exams that require LockDown Browser.
Typically, the ban appears when the student attempts to start an exam while the same restricted system condition is still present.
The typical support process is:
- Student receives a ban message and reference code when attempting to launch LockDown Browser.
- Student contacts 4Help and provides the ban reference code.
- 4Help routes the request to TLOS for review.
- TLOS coordinates with Respondus to request removal of the ban. LockDown Browser bans cannot be removed by instructors.
Because detections occur at the operating system level, the specific application involved is not visible to instructors or to TLOS. Students who want to investigate the system activity that triggered the detection may need to work directly with Respondus Support.
TLOS Role in Respondus Ban Cases
TLOS can:
- Coordinate with Respondus to request removal of a ban
- Provide general information about how the LockDown Browser banning system works
TLOS cannot:
- Determine the specific application or system process that triggered the detection
- Confirm whether academic misconduct occurred
- Interpret a Respondus detection as evidence of cheating
Instructor Actions When a Ban Occurs
If a ban occurs before or during an exam, instructors may need to make temporary arrangements so the student can complete the assessment.
Possible actions include:
- Allowing the student to complete the exam after the ban is removed
- Providing an alternate testing arrangement if the exam cannot be resumed immediately
- Speaking with the student to better understand the circumstances surrounding the detection
A Respondus ban does not automatically indicate academic misconduct. In many cases, the immediate priority is ensuring the student can complete the assessment once the restriction has been reviewed.
Depending on course policies and exam settings, instructors may need to provide an additional attempt or alternate arrangement if a ban prevents a student from completing an assessment. If instructors have concerns about a pattern of behavior or potential academic misconduct, follow the standard university academic integrity procedures.
Common Instructor Questions
Does a Respondus ban mean the student was cheating?
Not necessarily. A detection indicates that LockDown Browser identified activity outside the permitted testing environment, but it does not determine intent or confirm academic misconduct.
Can TLOS see what application caused the detection?
No. Respondus does not provide instructors or TLOS with visibility into the specific application or system process that triggered the detection.
Can the student just switch computers?
No. LockDown Browser bans can only be removed by Respondus after a request is submitted by the institution’s LockDown Browser administrator. Instructors cannot remove or override a ban within Canvas.
How can the student find out what triggered the detection?
Students who want to investigate the cause can contact Respondus Support, who can review system-level details with the student.
How long does it take for a ban to be removed?
Once a student contacts 4Help and provides the ban reference code, the request is routed to TLOS for review. TLOS will notify teachers in the Canvas course associated with the affected quiz and coordinate with Respondus to request removal of the ban.
Because this process involves two support teams and the availability of a Respondus administrator in TLOS, ban removal may take several days. If the quiz has a strict deadline, instructors may want to consider temporary alternative testing arrangements.