By default, Respondus LockDown Browser restricts access to external websites during exams to maintain test security. However, instructors may need to allow access to specific educational resources or reference materials. This guide shows how to configure domain exceptions for your Blackboard exams.

Configure External Domain Access

1. Navigate to your course site in Blackboard where the test is located.
2. Expand the Control Panel under Course Management.
3. Expand Course Tools and then select Respondus Lockdown Browser.
4. Click Continue to LockDown Browser.
5. Click the chevron (arrow) next to the exam you want to configure for external domain access.
6. Ensure the radio button next to "Require Respondus LockDown Browser for this exam" is selected.
7. Expand the Advanced Settings within LockDown Browser Settings.
8. Check the checkbox next to "Allow access to specific external web domains".
9. In the text box that appears, enter the domain names you want to allow, separating multiple domains with commas.
   Example: siuearchives.org, cougar1957.net 
10. Click Save + Close.

Important Considerations

Test Before Implementation

Critical: Always test the allowed-domain configuration before your exam. Verify that the chosen domain provides access to all the content your students need. Domain access can be unpredictable, and some e-textbook platforms may have complex domain structures that require additional configuration.

Adding Links to Your Exam

After configuring domain access, you must add direct links to the allowed websites within your exam content. Students will only be able to access the specified domains through links you provide in the exam - they cannot navigate to these sites through the browser's address bar.

Domain Format Requirements

• Enter only the main domain name (e.g., "example.com" not "https://www.example.com")
• Do not include "www" prefix unless specifically required
• Separate multiple domains with commas and spaces for clarity

Troubleshooting

E-Textbook Access Issues

• Test the allowed-domain list before the actual exam
• Some e-textbook platforms use multiple domains or subdomains that may need separate entries
• Contact your e-textbook vendor for a list of all domains their platform uses
• Consider whether the platform requires login authentication that may conflict with LockDown Browser

Students Cannot Access Allowed Domains

• Verify that domain names are spelled correctly in the configuration
• Ensure you have included direct links to the external sites within the exam
• Check that students are using the most recent version of Respondus LockDown Browser

Domain Access Still Blocked

• Confirm the "Allow access to specific external web domains" checkbox is checked
• Try entering the domain without "www" prefix if you included it
• Contact technical support if issues persist

Need Additional Support?

This guide aims to provide useful information, but as technology changes, interfaces or steps might vary. Please use the Comment button to let us know if anything differs from your experience. Your feedback helps us keep this information accurate. Thank you!