In a digital assessment environment, maintaining a level playing field is our top priority. We've built a multi-layered defense system that ensures every student's work is their own, without requiring intrusive or expensive software.
Our platform uses 11 unique security layers to monitor and prevent unauthorized assistance:
- Tab & Window Monitoring: Detects instantly if a student switches to another tab or browser window.
- Focus Tracking: The system knows if the exam window is no longer the primary focus of the computer.
- Interaction Blocking: Prevents right-clicking and advanced multi-touch gestures to stop shortcuts to external tools.
- Security Shortcut Guards: We block over 15 common "cheating" shortcuts (e.g., Inspect Element, View Source, Print Screen).
- Copy/Paste Restrictions: Content remains protected. Students can only use copy/paste within their own answer fields.
- Advanced DevTools Detection: Real-time monitoring for the opening of browser developer tools.
- Multi-Display Detection: Ensures the exam isn't being moved to a secondary, hidden monitor.
- Automated Screenshot Prevention: Blocks the PrintScreen key and clears the clipboard if a capture is attempted.
- Injection Prevention: Uses
MutationObserversto detect and block any attempt to inject malicious scripts into the exam page. - Fullscreen Enforcement: The exam can only be taken in dedicated fullscreen mode. If a student exits, the system issues a warning.
- Smart Text Protection: Prevents text selection on question prompts to stop automated scraping.
While traditional proctoring services charge high fees per student or per exam, our native approach reduces the overhead to zero.
| Platform | Typical Cost | ShadowCoders |
|---|---|---|
| Proctorio | $5 - $15 per exam | $0 |
| Respondus LockDown | $5 - $10 per student/year | $0 |
| ProctorU | $20 - $40 per exam | $0 |
| Honorlock | $10 - $20 per exam | $0 |
| ExamSoft | $70 - $100 per student/year | $0 |
| Examity | $25 - $35 per exam | $0 |
For a standard class of 100 students taking 5 exams per semester:
- Commercial Solutions: Costs range from $2,500 to $7,500.
- ShadowCoders: Costs exactly $0.
This ensures that high-quality, secure assessment is accessible to every institution, regardless of their budget.
We don't just block; we educate. The system includes a progressive warning hierarchy:
- Minor Violations: Real-time banners appear at the top of the screen.
- Automatic Submission: If a student ignores 3 consecutive security warnings (like exiting fullscreen or switching tabs), the exam is automatically submitted with the reason logged for the professor.
By leveraging native browser power instead of clunky third-party apps, we provide a secure, fail-safe, and private environment that respects student privacy while protecting academic integrity.