Allowing Access to External Web Domains Within Respondus Lockdown Browser

Issue/Question

How do I allow access to specific external links/websites in Blackboard exams which require students to use Respondus LockDown Browser?

Environment

  • Blackboard

Resolution

Link to a Single Webpage

  1. Links to external webpages will always open in a second tab in LockDown Browser. There is no setting for this – the link simply needs to be embedded (or “clickable”) in the test question. The student will be able to view that page, but links to other webpages will be blocked.

Allow Access to a Website Domain

  1. When creating the exam in Blackboard, add the URL link to the website in the exam itself (i.e. within the first question). 
    Note: The link cannot be in the instructions outside the active exam or the student will be unable to access it from within LockDown Browser. 
  2. Configure the link to open in a new window or new tab, not in the same window.
  3. Once your exam is created in Blackboard, return to Content tab. 
  4. Under Details & Actions to the right, select View course & institution tools. 
  5. Launch Respondus LockDown Browser dashboard. 
  6. Locate exam. 
  7. Click .
  8. Select Settings. 
  9. Select Advanced Settings.
  10. Check  next to Allow access to specific external web domains.
  11. Enter the domain(s) of all the websites that the student will need to access. Multiple domains can be entered, separated by commas. Do not include "http:" or "https:" protocols or any parameters staring at a "?" in the address.
    Note: Only specify the domain - do not use full site URLs. (Domain example: respondus.com or www.respondus.com; URL example: https://web.respondus.com/he/lockdownbrowser/resources/)

During the exam, when the link is clicked on by the student, it will open in a second tab and remain open during the exam until the student closes it.

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