Safe Exam Browser



Safe Exam Browser is a webbrowser-environment to carry out online-exams safely. The software changes any computer into a secure workstation. It regulates the access to any utilities and prevents students from using unauthorised resources. The Safe Exam Browser Server web application simplifies and centralizes the configuration of SEB clients for exams. It interacts with a learning management or exam system for setting up and conducting e-assessments with Safe Exam Browser. It also improves security by allowing to monitor connected SEB clients in real time during e-assessments. Safe Exam Browser 2.4.1:File:https://drive.google.com/drive. SEB configuration editor for creating and modifying.seb settings files for Safe Exam Browser: Allows to define all options for the Windows and Mac versions of SEB 2.x. Can save.seb files for individual configuration per exam and per exam client, which are protected by strong encryption against manipulation.

  1. Safe Exam Browser Camera
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  3. Safe Exam Browser Downlord
  4. Safe Exam Browser Hack

Current Versions for Windows, macOS and iOS

Software extensions for supported Learning Management Systems:Moodle, ILIAS.

Windows

Safe Exam Browser 3.1.1 for Windows 8.1 and 10
SHA1: dcd8628ad745c8aaae8fbbfc4b7f40f433840441

Download from GitHub project site.

This update adds new functionality for the SEB Server integration with Moodle and fixes a few issues reported by the community. Below a list of the most prominent new features and changes:

  • Added support for exam ID in SEB Server configurations.
  • Added support for secured quizzes with SEB Server and Moodle 3.9 (Deeper Integration).
  • Added support for battery and WLAN status logging with SEB Server.
  • Ensured missing machine info doesn't prevent startup.
  • Ensured remote connections are recognized during startup.
  • Fixed CORS issues.
  • Replaced VC++ 2015 Redistributable with VC++ Redistributable 2015-2019 in setup bundle.
  • Updated browser engine to version 86.0.24 (Chromium version 86.0.4240.198).

See release notes for all changes and read the manual for more information.

As SEB 3.1 does not yet support WebRTC functionality (e.g. access to webcams by web applications), we implemented a barebone browser with WebRTC support which can be used as third-party application in a SEB configuration. Visit Chrominimum on GitHub for more information.

Windows Legacy

Safe Exam Browser 2.4.1 for Windows 7, 8.1 and 10
SHA1: aec3ef8a45a40942f8675e7ab77b896e1ce05dba

Download from GitHub project site.

SEB 2.4.1 for Windows is a maintenance release, which can be used if the refactored, more modern version SEB 3.0.1 misses a feature you need. SEB 2.4.1 fixes an issue which was reported to happen when using the SEB-Moodle Deeper Integration (available by default in Moodle 3.9 and as plugin for Moodle 3.7 and 3.8).

Please note our new update policy: We will only support the latest SEB version and will remove all older SEB versions after a grace period. Only with updated SEB versions you can achieve the best possible security and stability of e-assessments. Before asking any support question or reporting a bug, install the latest SEB version and try to reproduce the issue with the most recent version. We can't answer questions anymore when the SEB version isn't mentioned or when you don't confirm you tried it with the current version.

Safe Exam Browser Camera

New in SEB 2.4.1:

  • Fixed issue when the old browser window stayed open while reconfiguring with seb(s) link, together with the Firefox file open dialog. Should fix issues when using SEB-Moodle Deeper Integration.
  • Implemented fix for VMware Windows Registry error: The Registry value for 'Enable VMware Client Shade' will now only be set if the active configuration explicitly says so (see new setting in SEB Config Tool / Registry / 'Set VMware configuration'. Don't enable this setting if you are not running SEB in a VMware Horizon View virtual desktop.
  • Added Zoom to list of prohibited applications. If you want to use Zoom together with SEB, you have to set its 'Active' property to false (Applications / Prohibited Processes).
  • Added expansion of environment variables in path of permitted processes. This allows to configure applications to run as permitted process, which need to be installed in subdirectories of the user directory, for example %AppData%.

New since SEB 2.4:

  • Config Key feature, hash checksum value to verify settings used by SEB. The Config Key can be generated automatically by a compatible exam system together with the SEB config to be used for an exam. All SEB versions supporting the Config Key generate the same key, as long as the same SEB config file is used.
  • Implemented setting keys to control clearing cookies when starting/ending a session (examSessionClearCookiesOnStart / examSessionClearCookiesOnEnd). This can be used to keep users logged in (SEB started with client settings) after an exam session was started.
  • Now TLS 1.2 is supported for downloading .seb files using sebs:// links.
  • Added more default prohibited processes.
  • Private clipboard should now also work correctly with rich-text editors like TinyMCE (fixed double pasting of text).
  • Additional bugfixes.

See release notes for all changes.

Other features:

Safe Exam Browser Gcuf

  • Using the powerful feature 'Additional Resources', external and embedded webpages, full or partial websites, HTML5 web applications and PDF documents can be accessed securely and easily in exams using icons in the SEB task bar (similar to permitted applications) or hierarchical popup menus.
  • Support for encrypted .seb setting files which allow to individually configure SEB per exam. The configuration is compatible with the Windows, Mac and iOS versions of SEB. Use the separate SEB Windows configuration tool to create .seb settings.
  • Buttons in the SEB task bar for back to start, reload page, change keyboard layout, switch Wi-Fi network, change audio volume and a display for the current time improve usability in exams.
  • Feature to quit SEB after the exam is submitted by specifying a quit link and placing this on the summary page displayed by your LMS after submitting the exam.
  • The Browser Exam Key allows an exam module to authenticate the connecting SEB version and its settings. Plug-ins offering this functionality have been released for the learning management systems Moodle and ILIAS, OpenOLAT from version 10.2 has built-in support.
  • Configurable options (per exam) in the user interface: Size and positioning of browser windows (main window with the quiz and additional browser windows) can be preset. The SEB main browser window can be displayed full screen or as a sizable and movable window.
  • Permitted third party applications are easy to start and to switch to (autostart together with SEB and by clicking on its icon in the SEB task bar). Prohibited processes and applications can be defined which are closed when SEB starts up. SEB contains a list of default prohibited processes too.
  • PrintScreen can be blocked, the clipboard is cleared when SEB is started and stopped.
  • Security feature which monitors processes and hinders all non-permitted applications to open, become active and display windows while SEB is running.
  • Individual proxy settings, URL filters and server certificates can be used per exam.
  • SEB config files saved for configuring a client can contain embedded cryptographic identities (X.509 certificates with private key) which will be installed in the Windows Certificate Store and then can be used to decrypt .seb config files without having to use a settings password.
  • Screen saver and idle sleep are paused while SEB is running to prevent having to enter an screen unlock password before the exam starts.

SEB configuration editor for creating and modifying .seb settings files for Safe Exam Browser:

  • Allows to define all options for the Windows and Mac versions of SEB 2.x.
  • Can save .seb files for individual configuration per exam and per exam client, which are protected by strong encryption against manipulation.
  • Configuration files can configure a SEB exam client to show for example a portal page with the current exams.
  • Configuration files can be used to start an exam with individual configuration (like specific security and user interface options, permitted third party applications and additional resources, Browser Exam Key for authenticating these settings and the SEB application to an exam server, Quit Link to close SEB automatically when an exam is submitted etc.).
  • Supports .seb files encrypted with password or X.509 (public/private key cryptography) certificates. For debugging purposes .seb configuration files can be saved unencrypted in an human readable XML format.

See release notes for all changes and read the manual for more information.

macOS

Current version of Safe Exam Browser for macOS 11, 10.15, 10.14, 10.13, 10.12, 10.11 (limited support* for 10.10, 10.9, 10.8 and 10.7)
Build 3140. SHA1: b5fa2826411aa8e8448b26ec8aa28d2d5c50aad4

Download from GitHub project site.

SEB 2.3.2 is a minor update for 2.3.1 with one bug fix:

  • When running on macOS 11 Big Sur on Intel CPU based Macs (tested on macOS 11.2.3), system processes displaying UI in the foreground were not recognized as system applications and terminated by SEB or locked SEB (displaying a red lock screen) if SEB couldn't terminate them. Now system processes should be identified correctly both on Intel and Apple Silicon based Macs.
  • SEB 2.3.1: Changed default setting for AAC to disabled, using a new settings key enableMacOSAAC.

SEB 2.3 added new capabilities, improved the user interface for students and exam administrators and fixed several issues:

  • Support for Automatic Assessment Configuration (AAC) macOS Assessment Mode. AAC can be used optionally if running on macOS 10.15.4 or newer. Assessment Mode blocks various macOS features which shouldn't be accessible during exams. Also no other applications and processes running in the background can access the network while Assessment Mode is active.

  • By default, the old SEB kiosk mode is still used also on latest macOS versions (see Preferences / Security / 'Use Assessment Mode (AAC) if available', settings key enableMacOSAAC), as AAC doesn't support optionally enabling features like like screen capture/sharing, Siri and Dictation. Assessment Mode also cannot be used if you want to run a video conferencing solution in the background during an exam for proctoring.

  • New options to enforce using the internal (built-in) display of a MacBook or iMac but optionally still allowing to use the external display on a Mac without built-in display (Mac Mini, Mac Pro).

  • Fixed an issue when calculating the Config Key for configuration files containing prohibited processes entries for both macOS and Windows.

  • New battery indicator in the SEB Dock, automatically displayed on devices with battery when the macOS menu bar with its battery indicator is disabled. This specifically applies when using Assessment Mode, as then the menu bar is always hidden.

  • Full compatibility with macOS 11 Big Sur.

  • Native support for Apple Silicon (universal binary).

  • Preferences window can be opened by holding the option/alt key when starting SEB (also when dropping a SEB configuration file onto the SEB icon).

  • Fixed drag-and-drop of configuration files onto the Preferences window. Note that files in iCloud drive need to be downloaded first (click the cloud icon in Finder's list view).

  • Added SEB 3.x for Windows settings to the Preferences window.

  • Improved starting SEB by opening settings, fixed some related issues.

  • Improved workaround for SEB freezing when a webpage tries to download a font.

Main features:

  • Support for encrypted SEB setting files (file type .seb) which allow to individually configure SEB per exam. You can use the same .seb files for starting exams on SEB Windows clients and SEB clients on macOS.
  • Comfortable built-in editor for the platform-independent SEB configuration files, which can also set all additional individual settings for the Windows version.
  • SEB features an optional dock/task bar displaying an icon for the SEB browser with controls for its open browser windows, additional buttons and display widgets.
  • SEB can easily be quit after the exam is submitted by specifying a quit link and placing it on the summary page displayed by your LMS/exam system after submitting the exam.
  • The Browser Exam Key allows an exam module to authenticate the connecting SEB version and its settings. Plug-ins offering this functionality have been released for the learning management systems Moodle and ILIAS, other systems have built-in support: OpenOLAT, Inspera Assessment and others.
  • User interface can be customized: Size and positioning of browser windows (main window with the quiz and additional browser windows) can be preset. Main window can be displayed full screen. An indicator shows network activity.
  • SEB can optionally display the standard macOS menu bar and a tool bar in browser windows, functions like 'About SEB', quit, open preferences, reload page, zoom page/text and browsing back/forward are therefore easier accessible.
  • Enhanced URL filter including teaching mode to control access of the SEB browser to web links and resources. Saved settings files contain URL filter rules which also work in SEB for Windows.

See release notes for all changes.

* Please note: On macOS 10.7 - 10.10 SEB can only be used as an exam client, the preferences window is not available. Run SEB on macOS 10.11 or higher to create a .seb configuration file to configure SEB clients running on older macOS versions as well. With default settings, SEB 2.3 runs only on macOS 10.11 El Capitan or newer (as macOS 10.10 or older provide a clearly outdated and less compatible WebKit browser engine). You can change this setting if you want students to be able to use older macOS versions.

iOS

Current version of SafeExamBrowser for iOS 9.3.5 and newer

SEB for iOS opens a web browser without an address and search bar, loads a pre-configured webpage and locks an iPad (or iPhone or iPod Touch) into a single app kiosk mode.

New in SEB 2.1.17 for iOS:

  • SEB 2.1.17 runs by default on iOS 14, removed check for running on iOS beta.
  • New scroll lock button for better usability while using some drag-and-drop and drawing question types.
  • Now displaying a disclaimer about the requirement to add an issue description before sending log files to the SEB developers in the integrated mail composer.
  • Now writing SEB and iOS version and device info into log files.
  • Fixed that a different Config Key was calculated on iOS 9/10 than on iOS 13/14 with some rare configuration files containing a deprecated setting.
  • Error message in case AAC couldn't be started properly and device needs to be restarted will only show on iOS versions older than iOS 13.0.
  • Fixed that SEB assumed an opened URL could be a Universal Link if decrypting the config from that URL failed.
  • Fixed a common crash when the 'Search Network' button in the Initial Configuration Assistant is tapped.

Main Features:

  • The single app kiosk mode used by SEB is built into the iOS operating system and therefore provides a high level of security.
  • Students cannot switch to other apps, access other websites or communicate with other students during an exam.
  • Notifications, FaceTime/voice calls and screen shots are also blocked.
  • SEB for iOS works both on unmanaged iOS devices like students' own iPads as well as on iOS devices owned and managed by an institution.
  • SEB for iOS is compatible with the existing versions for macOS and Windows. You can use the same SEB config links and files to start exams in SEB from Safari or Mail or to configure SEB to display your institution's exam system start/portal page.
  • In SEB for iOS exams with individual settings can also be started by QR codes.
  • SEB for iOS can be installed and configured using a mobile device management system, as it supports the iOS feature 'MDM Managed Configuration'.
  • SEB for iOS is also compatible with Apple Classroom.
  • This version contains some new features currently unique to the iOS version and almost all features of the macOS/Windows versions. Please check the compatibility of SEB for iOS version 2.1.14 with your exam system.

See release notes for complete list of new features and changes. Check out the SEB for iOS manual which explains all features (currently being updated for SEB 2.1.16). In addition, we published a first version of a tutorial which will help exam administrators to better understand how to configure and use SEB for iOS. It also includes how SEB for iOS can be used together with the Apple Classroom app. More topics will be added to this tutorial over time.

Learning Management Systems

Moodle

This plugin ensures that the right and unmodified SEB version using the correct (secure) settings is connecting to a Moodle quiz. After installing this plugin you can copy the Browser Exam Key hash code generated by SEB for the SEB settings used into the quiz settings in Moodle (see manuals for Windows/macOS versions of SEB).

ILIAS

This plugin ensures that the right and unmodified SEB version using the correct (secure) settings is connecting to an ILIAS instance with a specific user role. After installing this plugin you can copy the Browser Exam Key hash code generated by SEB for the SEB settings used into the ILIAS settings (see manuals for Windows/macOS versions of SEB).

Exams

It’s not always easy to keep an eye on students when you’re taking exams digitally. It’s even harder when students are hidden behind their computer screens. Taking tests on computers, tablets and laptops comes with the internet. A treasure of information that’s just a few clicks away.

You need tools to lock students in the digital exam, preventing them to cheat. That’s what this post is about: You can now take BookWidgets exams in combination with Safe Exam Browser using the easy built-in configuration. This locks students in your BookWidgets test. They won’t be able to open new browser tabs or programs on their device.

In this post, I’ll briefly explain how the configuration of both tools works. BookWidgets has made it super easy for you!

5 Steps to take safe digital exams with BookWidgets

1. Install “Safe Exam Browser”

Your students must download Safe Exam Browser and install it on their computer, laptop, or iPad.

Safe Exam Browser Downlord

Or your school’s IT-admin can install Safe Exam Browser on all your school’s devices at the beginning of the new school year.

Note! Safe Exam Browser is compatible with Windows, macOS, and IOS. If your students are using Chromebooks or Android tablets, you’ll have to use another tool.

2. Create your BookWidgets exam

Choose a Quiz, Worksheet, or Split worksheet widget as your digital exam template. Start adding your exam questions.

Keep in mind:

  • Students can open webpages if you’ve added clickeable links in your questions, but make sure not to give away valuable information there. They have to click on the back arrow to go back to their BookWidgets exam.
  • By adding specific YouTube videos, you give students access to everything on YouTube. It’s better to upload a video (up to 10mb) using the switch to rich text option.
  • Students won’t be able to upload images in the Picture question. (So, don’t use that question.) Don’t enable student to upload a picture in the whiteboard question either. It won’t work.
  • Students won’t be able to record their voice in an audio-recording question. The microphone is disabled in Safe Exam Browser (So, don’t use that question either.)

Make sure to take a look at the right settings, fit for your exam. Students should be able to submit the exam.

Safe Exam Browser

Put a time limit on the exam using the Exam mode,think about showing the scoring weight for each question (score options), put the questions in a random order for each student, and make sure they don’t get to see the correction yet (correction options).

3. Enable the Safe Exam Browser settings in BookWidgets

The most important settings are the Safe Exam Browser settings within your BookWidgets test. And this is new in BookWidgets.

Open your quiz or (split) worksheet and go to General. Click on Safe Exam Browser. Enable Safe Exam Browser for this widget.

Now, you’ll get a few extra input fields:

Startup Password

Students will have to enter this password when the BookWidgets exam will open in Safe Exam Browser. You’ll have to hand it to your students before the start of the exam. When students enter the password, the exam will be locked in Safe Exam Browser and students won’t be able to open other browsers, tabs, or tools.

Quit password

In most cases, you won’t be needing this. When students submitted the BookWidgets exam (when finished), Safe Exam Browser can be closed.

So why this password?The Quit password is a safety password. When students are having problems and they are locked in Safe Exam Browser, you can enter the password on your student’s device and quit the exam before finishing it.

When problems are solved, they open the test again and resume working where they left off.

Advanced

99% of the time, you will not need the advanced option. But for that 1%, if you need to configure other SEB options, you can do this here.

This is something you won’t need as a teacher. In some exceptional cases, the IT-specialist in your school might want to use this option.

Safe Exam Browser

4. Share the BookWidgets exam in your LMS with students

When done, share the widget in the learning management system you are using.

This step is very important! As a teacher, you want to know if it’s really your student that is taking the exam and not someone else. For this, you must use BookWidgets in combination with an LMS, in which students have to sign in.

You can use BookWidgets in Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams for Education, Smartschool, Schoology, Moodle, Canvas, and Blackboard.

This means that using the “share link” in the BookWidgets browser will not work. Every LMS has its own proper way of sharing a widget. Take a look at the LMS integrations specific tutorials if you need help.

5. Students make the BookWigets exam

Now, students have to log in to their learning environment (lms) and click on the BookWidgets quiz/(split)worksheet. When they have installed Safe Exam Browser on their device, the BookWidgets exam will open in Safe Exam Browser.

Students have to fill out the password they got from you. Now they can get started, answer the questions, and submit their work within a safe testing environment. After submitting, students can quit Safe Exam Browser.

Now, you have some reviewing to do… .

Step-by-step video tutorial

Safe Exam Browser Hack

If you want to see BookWidgets and Safe Exam Browser in action, take a look at this step-by-step video tutorial on creating digital exams. This way, you’ll know exactly how it works.

Wrap up

That’s it. I hope this secure digital exam solution is just in time for the coming testing period. Don’t forget to share!





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