Anyone who’s stared at a countdown timer during an online exam knows the feeling: that mix of focus and dread, wondering if the software watching you is actually on your side. Safe Exam Browser (SEB) is the tool thousands of institutions trust to keep that digital test environment locked down, but what it can and cannot see is a question that keeps popping up, and this guide walks through SEB’s real capabilities, its privacy limits, and the most common snags students and instructors run into.

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Users worldwide (estimated): over 1 million exam sessions per year across educational institutions ·
Current version (Windows): 3.10.1 (December 2024) ·
Supported operating systems: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android ·
Institutions using SEB: thousands of schools, universities, and certification bodies ·
First released: 2012 by ETH Zurich ·
Screen proctoring feature introduced: 2021 (SEB Server)

Upsides

  • Open-source, auditable code
  • Customizable per institution
  • No hidden data collection
  • Optional screen proctoring
  • Widely trusted by schools

Downsides

  • No Linux or Chromebook support
  • macOS requires explicit permissions
  • Known screen-sharing bugs on newer macOS
  • Cannot detect secondary devices without camera

Quick snapshot

1What SEB can detect
2Privacy safeguards
3Common fixes
  • Reinstall SEB (College Board Guide)
  • Update to latest version (Windows Manual)
  • Check antivirus/firewall (Support Page)
  • Use official download only (safeexambrowser.org)
4Proctoring best practices

Seven facts about SEB’s core specs tell most of the story:

Attribute Value
Official name Safe Exam Browser (SEB)
Developer ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)
License Open-source (GNU GPL v3)
Latest stable version 3.10.1 (December 2024)
Supported platforms Windows, macOS, iPadOS, Android
Screen proctoring Available via SEB Server (optional)
Camera integration Optional, configurable by exam administrator

What is Safe Exam Browser?

Safe Exam Browser is designed to secure e-assessments by locking down the test computer and preventing access to unauthorized resources.

How SEB locks down the test environment

  • SEB is a locked-down browser originally developed by ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology).
  • It prevents students from opening other applications, browsing restricted websites, or using keyboard shortcuts (Windows Manual).
  • SEB can be configured for different exam modes: local, server, and proctored (Support Page).

Who developed SEB and why

  • First released in 2012 by ETH Zurich (Support Page).
  • Built as an open-source alternative to proprietary lockdown browsers, aiming to give institutions full control over exam security without hidden data collection (GitHub Repository).
  • The open-source license (GNU GPL v3) allows security researchers to audit the code (Support Page).
Bottom line: SEB is a security tool for exam environments, not a surveillance system. Its open-source design gives institutions transparency. Students: SEB only does what the exam configuration tells it to. Instructors: you control every monitoring feature.

The implication: students should verify permissions before exam day, and instructors must ensure proper configuration.

The upshot

The student taking a high-stakes exam through SEB faces a locked environment that blocks distractions. The catch: that same lock means the configuration must be correct—one wrong setting and the exam can’t start.

What can Safe Exam Browser detect?

Screen proctoring and recording triggers

  • SEB detects unauthorized applications and processes running on the computer (Windows Manual).
  • With screen proctoring enabled (via SEB Server, introduced 2021), SEB can capture screen activity and flag suspicious behavior (Support Page).
  • SEB logs keystrokes and navigation within the browser (Windows Manual).

Detection of external devices and applications

  • SEB scans for unauthorized processes at startup and during the exam (College Board Guide).
  • It blocks keyboard shortcuts (Alt+Tab, Ctrl+Esc, Windows key) (Windows Manual).
  • On macOS, the system must grant explicit permission for screen capture/recording using the ‘Allow screen capture/recording’ setting (macOS Manual).

Limitations: what SEB cannot detect

  • SEB does not detect cheating via secondary devices unless camera is enabled (macOS Manual).
  • Whether SEB can detect virtual machines effectively varies by configuration and platform (GitHub Repository).
Bottom line: SEB is a capable lockdown tool but has blind spots. Students using secondary devices (phones, tablets) are not flagged unless camera proctoring is enabled. Instructors should pair SEB with smart test design—randomized questions, timed sections.

What this means: even with SEB, exam integrity depends on human oversight and test design.

Does Safe Exam Browser record you or your screen?

SEB does not record audio by default, and all data remains on institutional servers.

Screen recording: when and how it works

  • Screen recording is optional and must be enabled by the exam administrator via SEB Server (Support Page).
  • On macOS, users need to allow screen capture/recording in System Preferences for SEB to function (macOS Manual).
  • Reported issues on macOS Sonoma 14.5 include screen sharing not working correctly; a workaround involves enabling allowWindowCapture (GitHub Repository).

Camera and microphone usage

  • Camera access is controlled by the exam configuration; SEB does not activate it without permission (Certiverse Help Center).
  • SEB does not record audio by default (macOS Manual).
  • macOS users may need to grant separate permissions for webcam, microphone, and screen sharing after installation (Certiverse Help Center).

Can SEB detect incognito mode?

Incognito mode does not prevent SEB from monitoring browser activity within the exam session. SEB operates at the system level and logs all navigation regardless of private browsing settings. However, SEB does not directly detect incognito mode; it simply restricts allowed URLs. Students should not rely on incognito mode for privacy during SEB exams. (Windows Manual)

What data is stored and where

  • Recorded data is stored on the SEB Server or exported to the learning management system (Support Page).
  • SEB logs capture blocked attempts and detected applications (available on both Windows and macOS) (Support Page).
  • The support team recommends sending log files with exact timestamps to help diagnose errors (Support Page).
Bottom line: SEB’s recording capabilities are opt-in and administrator-controlled. Students concerned about privacy should check their exam’s configuration guide. Instructors: camera and screen recording require explicit enabling—train staff on setup.

The pattern: students grant permissions, institutions control the data; both sides share responsibility.

Why this matters

For the student worried about being watched at home, the key fact is clear: SEB only records what the exam admin turns on, and audio is never active without consent. For the institution: that same flexibility means someone must know how to configure it correctly—or the system fails silently.

Is Safe Exam Browser actually safe for students?

Privacy concerns and data collection

  • SEB has no known backdoors or undisclosed data collection (GitHub Repository).
  • Data collected (logs, recordings) is stored on the institution’s own servers, not transmitted to third parties (Support Page).
  • Regular updates patch security holes; outdated versions may be exploitable (Windows Manual).

Open-source transparency

  • SEB is open-source, which allows security experts to review its code (GitHub Repository).
  • No known backdoors have been publicly identified in the codebase (Support Page).

Potential vulnerabilities and updates

  • SourceForge and Softonic host older versions; always download from safeexambrowser.org to avoid malware risks (Support Page).
  • Version 3.10.1 (December 2024) includes enhanced security fixes and improved macOS/iOS support (Windows Manual).
  • Institutions running older versions (pre-3.10) risk known issues, such as the macOS Sonoma screen-sharing bug (GitHub Repository).
Bottom line: SEB is safe for students when configured correctly and kept updated. Students should verify they have the latest version from the official site. Institutions must enforce update policies—every outdated installation is a potential vulnerability.

The catch: even with open source, human errors in configuration can undermine security.

Common problems with Safe Exam Browser and how to fix them

Installation and configuration errors

  • Windows: SEB requires administrative rights to install; the setup bundle includes all dependencies (College Board Guide).
  • macOS: Users must grant permissions for screen recording, webcam, and microphone (Certiverse Help Center).
  • A common error reported in third-party guides is “Session Start Error,” often linked to outdated Windows versions or network problems (eLitmus Community FAQ).

SEB not opening or crashing

  1. Reinstall SEB from the official download.
  2. Update to the latest version.
  3. Check antivirus/firewall to ensure SEB is allowed.
  4. Only use official download from safeexambrowser.org.
  • On macOS Sonoma 14.5, screen sharing issues can prevent SEB from running; enabling allowWindowCapture in config settings reportedly resolves the problem (GitHub Repository).
  • Firewall or antivirus software may block SEB; add it to the allowed applications list (Support Page).
  • Reinstalling the latest version often fixes persistent crashes (Windows Manual).

Network and server connection issues

  • SEB needs a stable network for server-based exams; connection drops can freeze the test (Support Page).
  • The support team recommends checking firewall settings and ensuring the SEB Server URL is correctly configured (Support Page).
  • Log files (available in the SEB directory) contain detailed error information for support teams (Support Page).
Bottom line: Most SEB crashes stem from missing permissions or outdated software. Students: grant all required macOS permissions before exam day. Instructors: keep a troubleshooting checklist—reinstall, update, verify firewall settings—handy for exam support. For more software troubleshooting guides, see our Free QR Code Generator Guide.

What this means: proactive testing before the exam can prevent most issues.

How to detect cheating on online exams using SEB

Configuring proctoring options

  • Instructors can enable screen proctoring via SEB Server and review flagged sessions (Support Page).
  • SEB logs provide a list of blocked attempts and detected applications (Windows Manual).
  • Camera proctoring (if enabled) allows remote invigilators to see the test-taker (Certiverse Help Center).

Analyzing SEB logs and recordings

  • Logs show every attempted shortcut, blocked app, and navigation outside allowed domains (Windows Manual).
  • Screen recordings (if enabled) capture full exam-screen activity for post-exam review (Support Page).
  • Reportedly, some students have bypassed detection using secondary devices—a limitation of software-only proctoring (GitHub Repository).

Best practices for instructors

  • No single tool prevents all cheating; SEB is part of a larger integrity strategy (OBU Guide).
  • Combine SEB with timed sections, randomized questions, and open-book design for reduced incentives to cheat (OBU Guide).
  • Review SEB logs after every exam—patterns (repeated blocked attempts, multiple logins) may indicate coordinated behavior (Support Page).
Bottom line: SEB gives instructors strong detection tools—logs, recordings, alerts—but it’s not foolproof. Students aware of its limits know software alone cannot catch a second device. The trade-off is clear: invest in test design as much as in proctoring tech.

For instructors: the logs are only useful if someone analyzes them.

Safe Exam Browser requirements and downloads

System requirements for Windows, Mac, iPad, Android

  • Windows: requires Windows 10 or newer and Microsoft .NET runtime (from version 1.5) (Windows Manual).
  • macOS: requires macOS 10.13 or newer (macOS Manual).
  • iPadOS and Android: available via app stores, though not all features are supported (OBU Guide).
  • SEB is not available for Chromebooks (OBU Guide).

How to download SEB safely

  • Only download from safeexambrowser.org to ensure authenticity (Support Page).
  • Windows users: download the SEB_xxx_SetupBundle.exe file (Windows Manual).
  • macOS users: SEB is available via direct download or the Mac App Store (macOS Manual).
  • Avoid third-party sites (SourceForge, Softonic)—they may host outdated or tampered versions (Support Page).

Version history: what’s new in SEB 3.10.1

  • Released December 2024, version 3.10.1 improves security and fixes bugs (Windows Manual).
  • Enhanced macOS/iOS support, addressing screen-sharing issues on Sonoma 14.5 (GitHub Repository).
  • Users are strongly recommended to update—older versions may have unpatched exploits (Windows Manual).
Bottom line: SEB’s requirements are straightforward for modern devices, but macOS users must navigate permission settings carefully. Students on Chromebooks are out of luck—SEB doesn’t support it. Download only from the official site; third-party sources are a security risk.

The pattern: official source and latest version are non-negotiable for security.

The catch

The institution that relies solely on SEB’s download page and never checks version updates is exposing students to known, documented bugs—like the macOS screen-sharing issue on Sonoma 14.5—that a simple upgrade would fix.

Confirmed facts

  • SEB blocks unauthorized applications and websites during an exam.
  • Screen recording is only active when explicitly enabled by the exam administrator.
  • SEB does not record audio by default.
  • Downloading from safeexambrowser.org is the only secure source.
What’s unclear

  • Whether SEB can detect virtual machines effectively on all platforms (varies by configuration).
  • The extent to which students can bypass SEB using known exploits (not publicly documented).
  • Whether SEB can start automatically without user interaction (dependent on OS admin settings).
  • Whether SEB can detect USB devices (uncertain).
Flere kilder

adda.elitmus.com, github.com, learn.microsoft.com, safeexambrowser.org, youtube.com, youtube.com, safeexambrowser.org

For en grundig gjennomgang av hvordan SEB fungerer og hva det oppdager, kan du lese Safe Exam Browser-guiden vår.

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Frequently asked questions

Why does SEB sometimes close other applications automatically?

SEB scans for unauthorized processes at startup and during the test. If it detects an application not on its allowed list, it closes it or refuses to start (Windows Manual).

Can I use SEB without an internet connection?

SEB can run in local mode where the exam is stored locally. However, server-based and proctored modes require a stable internet connection (Support Page).

Does SEB work on Linux?

SEB does not officially support Linux. Only Windows, macOS, iPadOS, and Android versions are released (OBU Guide).

How do I update Safe Exam Browser to the latest version?

Download the latest version from safeexambrowser.org and run the new installer. On Windows, the SetupBundle replaces the previous version (Windows Manual).

What happens if SEB crashes during an exam?

The exam session may be interrupted or terminated depending on the configuration. Contact the exam administrator immediately; log files can help diagnose the cause (Support Page).

Is there a way to test SEB before the real exam?

Many institutions offer a practice exam environment or a SEB test configuration. Check with your school’s IT or exam support team (Support Page).

Can SEB be used for non-exam purposes?

SEB is designed specifically for secure exam delivery. While it could theoretically lock down a kiosk, it lacks the configuration features needed for general-purpose browsing or productivity (Windows Manual).

SEB solves a real problem: giving institutions a free, open-source lockdown browser that’s transparent about what it collects. But its limits matter just as much as its strengths. For the student downloading SEB before exam day, the lesson is simple: grant all necessary permissions ahead of time, use the official download, and know that SEB only records what the configuration allows. For the institution deploying it across campuses, the implication is clear: invest in SEB Server for proctoring, enforce version updates across all systems, or face a support nightmare on exam morning.