Does Honorlock Track Tabs? What Honorlock Can and Cannot See

Key takeaways

• Honorlock says administrators can toggle web-traffic, single-screen, permitted-site, restriction, and room-scan options. [1]
• Desktop, webcam, and audio recording are requested by the organization for the relevant assessment. [1]
• Honorlock says it does not scan other devices on a network, including phones and tablets. [2]
• An Honorlock technical report should be reviewed under the applicable institutional policy rather than treated as a standalone conclusion. [1]

What Honorlock can record

Honorlock describes its service as operating at an organization’s request. Its Test Taker Privacy Statement says a test taker may be required to complete a photo/ID check and a 360-degree surroundings scan before an exam. It says Honorlock can log websites a test taker attempts to visit through Chrome during the exam, and that webcam recording and desktop capture are used when the organization enables those features.

Honorlock’s Faculty & Student FAQ says an exam administrator can toggle options such as a single-screen requirement, web-traffic recording, external-site or application restrictions, permitted-site lists, and room-scan requirements. It also says webcam video, desktop activity, and audio recording occur during an exam if requested by the organization.

Does Honorlock track tabs, record screens, or detect other devices?

Honorlock’s documentation supports a qualified answer. The company says its product can log attempted Chrome websites during an exam, and its administrator materials describe configurable web-traffic, desktop, audio, webcam, room-scan, and single-screen options. [2] Its BrowserGuard page separately describes blocking and flagging unauthorized websites, browser tabs, applications, and keyboard shortcuts while recording the desktop during the exam. [1]

At the same time, Honorlock’s privacy statement says it does not scan other devices on the network, including phones and tablets. [3] That statement should not be converted into a blanket claim about every feature or every assessment environment. Honorlock’s product material also uses separate language about detecting devices in a proctored setting. The exact assessment notice, consent prompts, selected product, and institution policy are the reliable guide to what applies in a particular course.

Why institution settings change the answer

Honorlock says administrators can turn options on and off, including single-screen, web-traffic, and permitted-site settings. [2] It also says only a limited number of organizations may require its additional application, which can identify prohibited programs on the computer when it has been enabled for the exam. [3] Those are configuration statements, not a universal description of every course that uses Honorlock.

Before beginning an assessment, identify the complete testing arrangement rather than relying on the product name alone. Read the course instructions, assessment agreement, privacy notice, and system check. If a separate browser, application, or managed device is required, its own notice and permissions matter as well.

How to read an Honorlock record fairly

A platform report is strongest when it is read as a report of the specific feature that produced it. Confirm whether it concerns a web-traffic event, desktop capture, room scan, audio/video recording, or a separately installed application. Then compare the timestamp and stated event with the assessment policy that was given to the student. A technical flag or report does not, by itself, establish motive, context, or a policy conclusion.

Honorlock says that proctor and administrator reports can include timestamped incidents for review, and that an administrator can decide whether further action is needed. [2] A fair process considers the defined record, the applicable policy, any legitimate technical context, and the institution’s own review procedure.

Student checklist before an Honorlock assessment

1. Read the assessment policy. Confirm timing, permitted resources, device rules, and the academic-integrity requirements.
2. Identify the exact requirements. Note whether the assessment requests Chrome access, screen capture, webcam, microphone, an environment scan, BrowserGuard, or another application.
3. Complete official checks early. Use the institution-provided system check or practice assessment and contact the approved support channel if a legitimate issue appears.
4. Use the permitted workspace. Follow the stated rules for displays, materials, applications, and accessibility arrangements.
5. Preserve useful context. Keep relevant support details and explain a genuine technical issue through the published process.

Frequently asked questions

Can Honorlock see which tab I open?

Honorlock says it can log websites attempted through Chrome during an exam and describes BrowserGuard as blocking or flagging unauthorized browser tabs in its documented configuration. Whether those options apply depends on the institution’s selected assessment setup. [3]

Does Honorlock record my screen?

Honorlock says webcam and desktop activity recording during an exam are requested by the organization. BrowserGuard also describes desktop recording during the exam. Review the assessment notice for the settings that apply to a particular course. [2]

Can Honorlock detect a second monitor, phone, or another device on my Wi-Fi?

Honorlock says administrators can set a single-screen requirement, but that does not make it a universal rule for every assessment. Its privacy statement says Honorlock does not scan other devices on the network, including phones and tablets. The specific assessment notice is the best source for any separately required tool or environment rule. [3]

Do Honorlock reports decide an academic-integrity case by themselves?

Honorlock describes reports as material for administrator review and says the administrator decides whether a reported incident needs further action. The applicable institution process should consider the complete context. [2]

Sources and further reading

1. Honorlock: Test Taker Privacy Statement
2. Honorlock: Faculty & Student FAQ
3. Honorlock: BrowserGuard