The Complete Safe Exam Browser Guide
What a lockdown browser does, what it cannot do, and how to decide whether your exams need one.
At a glance:
What is Safe Exam Browser?
Safe Exam Browser (SEB) is a free, open-source application that turns a computer into a temporary exam-only machine. While it runs, the candidate can reach the exam and nothing else: no other applications, no unapproved websites, no operating system shortcuts.
It is developed at ETH Zurich and used widely in higher education. It is an installed application, not a web page. That lets it reach further than an exam delivered in an ordinary browser. It also has to be installed on a machine the candidate controls.
What it controls: the device it runs on. A lockdown browser cannot see a second laptop, a phone on the desk, or another person in the room. Those risks belong to exam design or to a supervised setting.
What Safe Exam Browser actually does
Application lockdown
Blocks other applications and unapproved websites for as long as the exam is open
Windows, macOS and iOS
Runs as a native application on all three platforms
LMS integration
Works with Moodle, Canvas and Blackboard through configuration files
No licence fee
Free and open source, developed and maintained at ETH Zurich
Watch: Safe Exam Browser tutorial
A different approach to exam integrity
StudyDrome does not ship a lockdown browser, and that is a deliberate choice rather than a missing feature. It is worth understanding the trade before you commit to either model.
A lockdown browser buys reach, and charges for it
Reaching past the browser sandbox means installing software on a machine the candidate owns. That is real coverage. It is also a support queue on exam morning. It is a barrier for anyone on a borrowed or managed device. And it depends on every candidate completing a setup step correctly.
Most of what it blocks can be designed out instead
An item that asks for judgement on supplied data cannot be answered from an open tab, so blocking the tab stops mattering. Randomised selection from a large bank does the same for a leaked paper. Both improve the exam as a measurement, which no lockdown setting does.
Neither model can see the room
A lockdown browser controls one machine. It does not see a phone, a second computer, or another person sitting alongside. Any integrity plan still has to answer that question somewhere, and the honest place to answer it is exam design or supervision.
Read further
- Can online exams detect cheating? — A method-by-method map of what exam software catches, and what it cannot see
- Alternatives to online proctoring — The five layers that replace webcam supervision, and what each one catches
Frequently asked questions
What is Safe Exam Browser?
Safe Exam Browser (SEB) is a free, open-source application that turns a computer into a temporary exam-only machine. While it runs, the candidate can reach the exam and nothing else. It blocks other applications, unapproved websites and operating system shortcuts. It is developed at ETH Zurich and used widely in higher education.
How much does Safe Exam Browser cost?
Safe Exam Browser is free and open source. There are no licensing fees, subscription costs or per-candidate charges. The real cost is staff time: configuration files, Browser Exam Keys, and support for candidates who cannot get it installed before exam day.
What platforms does Safe Exam Browser support?
Safe Exam Browser runs on Windows (7 and newer), macOS (10.11 and newer), and iOS (9.3.5 and newer). It integrates with Moodle, Canvas and Blackboard, though only Moodle 3.9 and above carries built-in support. Canvas and Blackboard need configuration files hosted and distributed separately.
How do I install Safe Exam Browser?
Download the version for your operating system from safeexambrowser.org, run the installer with administrator privileges, and follow the setup wizard. Then build a configuration file for your exam and test it end to end before distributing it. The installation section of this guide covers the platform-specific requirements.
Can Safe Exam Browser prevent all forms of cheating?
No. It controls the machine it runs on, so it blocks other applications and unapproved websites on that device. It cannot see a phone on the desk, a second computer, notes on paper, or another person in the room. Those risks belong to exam design or to a supervised setting, not to software on the exam machine.
How do I configure Safe Exam Browser for my LMS?
It depends on the LMS. Moodle 3.9 and above has built-in support, so configuration happens inside the quiz settings. Canvas and Blackboard require a .seb configuration file that you host and distribute yourself, along with manual Browser Exam Key handling. The configuration section of this guide covers each path.
What should I do if candidates have technical issues with Safe Exam Browser?
Most exam-day problems fall into three groups: installation permissions, file associations, and network settings. The troubleshooting section covers the common cases. Plan for them in advance — require installation and a practice run well before exam day, and have a named support contact available while the exam is open.
Do you need a lock-down browser for online exams?
Not always. A lockdown browser reaches beyond what a web page can see, but it must be installed on the candidate's machine, which adds support load and access barriers. For many exams, better item design and per-candidate access control remove more risk at lower cost. Which fits depends on the risk you are actually carrying.
Getting started with Safe Exam Browser
Everything below comes from the Safe Exam Browser project itself. Give yourself at least two weeks between distributing the configuration and exam day.
Before exam day:
For exam staff:
- □ Download the configuration tool
- □ Build and test a configuration file
- □ Allow 2+ weeks for candidate setup
- □ Confirm IT support cover
For candidates:
- □ Install SEB before exam day
- □ Run the practice file end to end
- □ Check your internet connection
- □ Save the support contact
About this guide
A vendor-neutral guide to Safe Exam Browser for exam offices and teaching staff, covering what it does, what it cannot do, and when a different approach fits better.
Safe Exam Browser is developed at ETH Zurich and is not a StudyDrome product. We maintain this guide because the choice between delivery models matters more than most vendor pages admit.