Respondus Lockdown Browser records your screen and webcam during exams, but not your microphone or general computer activity
Respondus Lockdown Browser is a test-taking application that schools use to prevent cheating during online exams. When your instructor enables recording, the software captures your screen activity and video from your webcam throughout the test. It does not record audio from your microphone, and it does not monitor your computer when you are not actively taking an exam.
The recording happens on your device first, then uploads to your school's testing server after you finish and submit your exam. Your instructor decides whether recording is turned on — you cannot disable it yourself if they have required it. The footage stays on your school's secure server, not with Respondus as a company.
Key Takeaways
- Lockdown Browser records your screen and webcam video during exams if your instructor enables it, but never records your voice or audio.
- Recording is controlled by your school, not by you — if your instructor requires it, you cannot turn it off.
- The recorded video is stored on your school's server and reviewed only by authorized school staff, not by Respondus employees.
- Lockdown Browser does not monitor your computer outside of active exam sessions, and it does not track your browsing or applications between tests.
What gets recorded during an exam
When recording is enabled, Lockdown Browser captures two streams: everything on your screen and a live video feed from your webcam. The screen recording shows exactly what you see — your exam questions, your answers as you type them, and any scratch work or notes you write in the testing interface. The webcam records your face and upper body, which allows proctors to verify you are the person taking the test and to watch for suspicious behavior like looking away from the screen or speaking to someone off-camera.
The software does not record your voice, system sounds, or anything happening on your microphone. If your school uses live proctoring (a person watching in real time), they may ask you to speak, but that conversation is not captured by Lockdown Browser itself — it would be recorded separately by the video conferencing tool your school uses, if at all.
Recording begins the moment you start the exam and stops when you submit your answers. Lockdown Browser does not record the time before you open the test or after you close it.
How the recording is stored and who sees it
After you finish your exam and click submit, Lockdown Browser uploads the recorded video to your school's testing server. The file is encrypted during transfer and stored in a secure location that only your school controls. Respondus, the company that makes the software, does not have access to your recorded exam videos — they cannot watch them, download them, or use them for any purpose.
Your school decides who can view the recordings. Typically, only your instructor and your school's testing administrator can access them. Some schools allow academic integrity staff to review recordings if cheating is suspected. The video remains on your school's server for as long as your school's retention policy requires — this varies by institution and may be anywhere from one semester to several years.
What Lockdown Browser does not record
Lockdown Browser does not monitor your computer when you are not taking an exam. Once you close the testing window, the software stops recording and stops watching your screen. It does not track which websites you visit, which applications you open, or what you do on your computer between exams.
The software also does not record audio from your microphone, your keyboard typing sounds, or any ambient noise in your room. If your school requires a live proctor who can hear you, that audio is handled by a separate video conferencing tool — Zoom, Proctorio, or another platform — not by Lockdown Browser itself.
Lockdown Browser does not access your files, emails, or personal data. It does not take screenshots outside the exam window, and it does not log your passwords or login information. The software is designed to lock down the testing environment only, not to surveil your entire computer.
Why your school uses recording during exams
Schools enable recording to create a record of who took the exam and what happened during it. If a student's score seems unusually high or inconsistent with their previous work, or if the school suspects cheating, the recording allows instructors to review what actually occurred. The video can show whether a student was looking at unauthorized materials, communicating with someone else, or using a phone or second device.
Recording also serves as a deterrent — students who know they are being recorded are less likely to attempt cheating. For schools offering exams online, recording is one of the few ways to verify test integrity when no proctor is physically present in the room.
What to expect when recording is enabled
Before you start an exam with recording enabled, Lockdown Browser will ask for permission to access your webcam. You must grant this permission to proceed with the test — if you deny it, you cannot take the exam. The software will show you a preview of what your webcam sees so you can check that your face is visible and your lighting is adequate.
During the exam, you will see a small indicator on your screen showing that recording is active. You may also see a red light on your webcam (if your device has one). Do not cover the camera or move it during the test, as this will interrupt the recording and may trigger a flag for your instructor to review.
After you submit your exam, Lockdown Browser will upload the video. This may take a few minutes depending on your internet connection and the length of the exam. Do not close the application until the upload is complete.
Your privacy and data protection
Your school is responsible for protecting your recorded exam videos under the same privacy laws that govern all your educational records. In the United States, this means your videos are protected under FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), which restricts who can access them and how they can be used. Your school cannot share your exam recording with third parties without your permission, except in cases of suspected academic misconduct that may be referred to disciplinary proceedings.
If you have concerns about how your school stores or uses exam recordings, you can ask your school's registrar or privacy officer about their data retention and access policies. You also have the right to request a copy of your own exam recording from your school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my own exam recording after I finish?
That depends on your school's policy. Some schools allow students to request their own exam recordings, while others restrict access to instructors and administrators only. Contact your school's testing center or registrar to ask whether you can view your recording.
What happens if my internet cuts out during the exam?
If your connection drops, Lockdown Browser will pause recording and attempt to reconnect. Once your connection is restored, recording resumes. Your instructor will see a gap in the video timeline, which may prompt them to ask what happened. Always inform your instructor immediately if you experience a technical issue during an exam.
Does Lockdown Browser record if I minimize the window or switch to another application?
Lockdown Browser is designed to prevent you from minimizing or switching applications during an exam. If you attempt to do so, the software will either block the action or flag it in the recording. Your instructor will see that you tried to leave the testing window.
Can my school use exam recordings for anything other than checking for cheating?
Your school should only use exam recordings for academic integrity purposes unless you consent to other uses. If your school wants to use a recording for any other reason — such as training, research, or demonstrating how the system works — they should ask your permission first. Check your school's testing policies or ask your instructor if you are unsure.
Is my face visible enough in the recording for someone to identify me?
Yes. The webcam recording is clear enough for your instructor to confirm your identity and to observe your behavior during the exam. This is intentional — the recording is meant to verify that you are the person taking the test. Make sure you are in a well-lit space and that your face is centered in the camera frame before you start.