Safe Exam Browser Installation in South Africa: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
Safe Exam Browser (SEB) is a secure web browser designed to prevent cheating during online exams. It is widely used in South Africa by educational institutions to ensure the integrity of their assessments. This guide provides a step-by-step process for installing SEB on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems in South Africa.
System Requirements
Before installing SEB, ensure that your computer meets the following minimum system requirements:
- Windows: Windows 7 or later (64-bit)
- macOS: macOS 10.13 or later (64-bit)
- Linux: Ubuntu 18.04 or later (64-bit)
- RAM: 4GB or more
- Hard Disk Space: 100MB or more
- Internet Connection: Stable internet connection
Installation Instructions
Windows
- Download the SEB installer from the official website: https://safeexambrowser.org/download/
- Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Select the "Install for all users" option if you want all users on the computer to have access to SEB.
- Click "Install" to begin the installation process.
- Once the installation is complete, click "Finish."
macOS
- Download the SEB disk image (.dmg) file from the official website: https://safeexambrowser.org/download/
- Mount the disk image by double-clicking on it.
- Drag the SEB application icon to the Applications folder.
- Eject the disk image.
- Open the Applications folder and launch SEB.
Linux
- Download the SEB DEB package from the official website: https://safeexambrowser.org/download/
- Open a terminal window and navigate to the directory where the DEB package is located.
- Run the following command to install SEB:
sudo dpkg -i safeexambrowser_*.deb- Enter your password when prompted.
- Once the installation is complete, run the following command to launch SEB:
safeexambrowserConfiguration
After installing SEB, you need to configure it to meet your specific exam requirements.
- Create an Exam: Click on the "New Exam" button to create a new exam.
- Enter Exam Details: Enter the exam name, duration, and any other relevant information.
- Configure Exam Settings: Select the exam mode (e.g., locked down, restricted), allowed websites, and other security settings.
- Save Exam: Click on the "Save" button to save the exam configuration.
Exam Mode
SEB offers two exam modes:
- Locked Down Mode: This mode prevents students from accessing any unauthorized websites or applications during the exam.
- Restricted Mode: This mode allows students to access specific websites or applications that are required for the exam.
Allowed Websites
In restricted mode, you can specify the websites that students are allowed to access during the exam. This is useful for exams that require students to use specific online resources.
Other Security Settings
SEB provides a range of other security settings to prevent cheating, such as:
- Keystroke Logging: Logs all keystrokes made by the student during the exam.
- Screenshot Blocking: Prevents students from taking screenshots of the exam.
- Virtual Machine Detection: Detects if the student is using a virtual machine to bypass exam restrictions.
Additional Notes
- SEB is a free and open-source software.
- It is recommended to install SEB on a dedicated computer or device that is not used for other purposes.
- Students should be familiar with the SEB user interface and exam settings before taking an exam.
- Educational institutions should provide clear instructions and support to students regarding the use of SEB.
Conclusion
Safe Exam Browser is a powerful tool for preventing cheating during online exams in South Africa. By following the installation and configuration instructions outlined in this guide, educational institutions can ensure the integrity of their assessments and provide a fair and secure testing environment for students.
