FAQs About Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB)-Student
Will installing LDB change the existing settings for Internet Explorer or Safari? Is LDB as secure as
the browser software currently installed on the computer?
Respondus LockDown Browser provides a custom interface for the Internet Explorer (Windows) and
Safari (Mac) browsers that are already installed on computers. LDB does not modify an existing copy of
Internet Explorer or Safari, but rather, installs a separate program that will display the custom interface
when it is started. LDB uses the same security features and service packs currently installed for Internet
Explorer and Safari. In summary, installing Respondus LockDown Browser won’t modify the current
version of Internet Explorer or Safari, yet uses the same security settings and service packs that are
installed for those browsers.
Does anything need to be installed to a computer for Respondus LockDown Browser to be used for
an online exam?
Yes, the installation application for Respondus LockDown Browser must be run on the computer. This
will place a shortcut on the Windows desktop named "LockDown Browser" (on a Macintosh launch
“LockDown Browser” from the Applications folder). Students must start Respondus LockDown Browser
rather than starting another browser if they want to access an assessment that requires Respondus
LockDown Browser.
Does anything need to be installed to a student’s computer for Respondus LockDown Browser to
be used with an online exam?
Yes. The computer being used to take the assessment must have the Respondus LockDown Browser
software installed on it. In addition, students must start the Respondus LockDown Browser software
rather than a standard browser in order to access an assessment that has been prepared for use with
Respondus LockDown Browser.
I'm running Internet Explorer (Windows) or Safari (Mac) and was expecting LockDown Browser
to automatically launch.
Respondus LockDown Browser is a separate application from Internet Explorer or Safari. You must
install Respondus LockDown Browser to a computer and then start the Respondus LockDown Browser
program before logging into your online course. When the assessment is selected, it will then work as
intended.
When I start LDB a warning message states “You must close the following programs before
starting the browser: [program name]”.
Respondus LockDown Browser blocks all screen capture, screen-sharing, virtual machines, and
messaging programs from running. This means that you cannot start LDB until the blocked application is
either shut down or exited. When this warning message appears, LDB will offer to close the program for
you, which is the easiest way to continue.
When I start Respondus LockDown Browser I receive the message: “Unable to obtain a list of elearning systems from the Respondus servers.” What does this mean?
At startup, Respondus LockDown Browser will go to a Respondus server to obtain the current settings
for the institution. If the browser is unable to access the Respondus servers, consider the items below:
1. Be sure your Internet connection is working. Also be sure Internet Explorer (Windows) or Safari
(Macintosh) is working properly and configured according to the minimum requirements of your
Blackboard server.
2. A local firewall or security software may be preventing Respondus LockDown Browser from
accessing the Internet. (On a Windows computer, check the items in the System Tray located in the
bottom right hand corner of the taskbar.) Make sure that “lockdown.exe” (Windows) or “LockDown
Browser.app” (Macintosh) has been added as an accepted application to any security software that is
running.
3. A firewall, proxy or other campus network software may be blocking access to one of the servers used
during the startup step ,which are: www.respondus.com, www.respondus2.com, www.respondus4.com.
You may need to contact your IT department to determine if these servers are being blocked and to have
them added to a “whitelist.”