This feature is designed to ensure that users remain within the established boundaries during monitoring. With SMOWL LOCK, administrators and instructors can be confident that any inappropriate behavior will be detected and addressed immediately.
What is SMOWL LOCK?
SMOWL LOCK is our browser lock feature, implemented through SMOWL EXTENSION – the SMOWL browser extension that enables the lock functionality during activities.
SMOWL LOCK restricts the device's navigation during monitoring and alerts the user if it detects inappropriate behavior; after three alerts, it will expel the user from the activity.
What does the SMOWL LOCK report show?
SMOWL LOCK provides useful information to your team:
Element | Description |
Extension not installed or launched during the activity | Indicates that SMOWL EXTENSION was not installed or launched during the activity.. |
New Data Alert | When accessing the "Full Report" tab (grouped view), an alert is displayed indicating that new data is available in the timeline view.  |
Extension Data | Displays data on other installed extensions detected by SMOWL EXTENSION, including their names and versions.  |
Display Data | Shows information on connected screen detected, generally with names assigned by the computer.  |
User alerted | Records that SMOWL LOCK has alerted the user about inappropriate behavior during the activity. |
Navigation | Indicates when the user leaves the activity window. |
Commands | Detects the use of commands (such as copy and paste); during this action, the copy/paste functionality is temporarily disabled. |
Activity expel | Indicates if the user is expelled for exceeding the allowed time away from the activity or reaching the maximum number of incidents. For more details, please consult the complete report. |
Configurable criteria for expulsion
There are three configurable criteria for expelling a user:
Number of Incidents: Each institution sets the incident limit for user expulsion; it is recommended to configure the system so that the user is expelled after 3 incidents.
Time Away from Activity: Each institution defines the time limit for user expulsion, but it is suggested to trigger expulsion if the user leaves the exam page for more than 30 seconds (cumulative time).
The user will receive an alert when they leave the activity for one-third of the maximum allowed time. This alert serves as a warning to return to the activity and thus avoid being expelled. Users who leave the exam without realizing it will receive a warning. Once the alert is closed, the time is reset, making this first "infraction" only a warning.
Screen Sharing: Stopping screen sharing during the activity is grounds for user expulsion.
Note that even though this is recorded as an incident, monitoring continues; the detailed report confirms expulsion for this reason.
What is considered an incident?
The following situations are considered incidents:
Leaving the activity page for more than 3 seconds counts as one incident.
Attempting to capture the activity screen (for example, using the “Print Screen” key).
Access with multiple monitors conected
Exclude screensharing permissions from SMOWL or Stop Sharing during the activity
The expulsion criteria for an exam, managed through the browser extension, are configurable by the SMOWL support team. For more information, contact us at service.desk@smowltech.com