Prohibited Services and Applications

Overview

Some services and applications are not permitted during Proctorio exams. These include tools that can intercept exam data, conceal a test-taker's identity or activity, or provide unauthorized access to outside resources. Prohibiting these services helps protect the privacy of test-takers, preserve the integrity of the exam, and ensure a fair testing experience for everyone.

Note: This page does not specify or provide information regarding any materials or resources prohibited by your exam administrator. Please refer to your exam instructions for information about allowed exam materials.

Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Proxy Connections

This animation illustrates a security system scanning and closing prohibited services or applications running in the background during a secure session. It symbolizes how unauthorized tools—like messaging apps, screen sharing, or system processes—are automatically detected and shut down to maintain the integrity of an online exam or secure environment.

VPN and proxy services function differently, but both act as intermediaries between a user's device and the internet, allowing third parties to intercept or filter transmitted data. Although not inherently malicious, these tools can compromise exam integrity and data privacy. Individuals may use them to conceal their identity and location; in some cases, malware can reroute a user's connection through a proxy to collect and steal data.

While all exam data is encrypted, making it indecipherable in the event that it is intercepted, Proctorio aims to avoid the risk altogether. Therefore, Proctorio blocks VPN and proxy connections that may expose your data to third-party services or attempt to break the encryption protecting your data.

Troubleshooting

Follow the steps below to view and modify proxy and VPN settings on your device.

Note: Some devices and networks are preconfigured to use a VPN or proxy. Depending on your device and connection, you may need to contact your institution's IT support team or home internet service provider (ISP) to disable or bypass these services. IT and network administrators should refer to Proctorio's Allowlist↗

  1. Type "chrome://settings/system" into the browser address bar and press Return. Alternatively, open the browser menu, select Settings, and search "Proxy."

  2. Select "Open your computer's proxy settings".

This illustration shows how to access system-level proxy settings from within the Chrome browser. It highlights the path through the browser menu to the chrome:/settings/system page, where users can click to open their computer's proxy settings. It's typically used in guides related to troubleshooting connectivity or configuring network settings for secure access or testing environments.

Mac OS

  1. Turn off all proxy settings for your active network connection. Learn more
    System Settings > Network > Select Connection > Details > Proxies

  2. Disconnect from any active VPN. Learn more
    Apple menu > System Settings > VPN (if VPN is not listed in the left sidebar, then a VPN is not configured on your device).

Windows OS

  1. Toggle off all proxy settings for your current Wi-Fi or ethernet connection. Learn more
    Start button > Settings > Network & internet > Proxy

  2. Disconnect from any active VPN. Learn more
    Start > Settings > Network & internet > VPN

Chrome OS

  1. Change Proxy connection type to "Direct Internet Connection".
    Time > Settings > Network > Select Connection > Select Network > Proxy

  2. Disconnect from any active VPN.
    Time > Settings > Network > Select VPN Connection

Virtual Machines and Hardware

This illustration depicts the detection of a virtual machine (VM) environment. The image shows a laptop with another virtual desktop running inside it, symbolizing layered systems. This is commonly used in proctoring or secure software to flag attempts to bypass monitoring by using VMs, which can hide or spoof user activity during exams or secure sessions.

A virtual machine is an application that acts as a computer within a computer and is commonly used by individuals to test new software, run multiple operating systems on the same device, and insulate the host device from external threats such as malware. Virtual hardware, including virtual cameras and microphones, often come included with media authoring and live-streaming applications, such as Zoom, OBS, Adobe Animate. They are used to generate multiple camera or audio feeds that can display running applications or prerecorded content.

Virtual machines and devices serve several legitimate purposes, however, they can risk the integrity of an exam. Sophisticated users could use such applications to access unauthorized resources, allow proxy testing, and feed false information to Proctorio. Therefore, Proctorio actively monitors devices for running virtual machines and services and can alert exam administrators when they are detected.

Display potential Virtual Machine Detection
Advanced Virtual Machine Detection

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