Can Proctorio Detect Other Devices on WiFi? – Complete Guide

Can Proctorio detect other devices on WiFi? If you’re taking a proctored online exam, we’ve got the answers you’re looking for!

It’s definitely a valid concern as it can breach your privacy and security. We have everything that you need to fully understand how Proctorio works.

Let’s find out!

Proctorio can only scan your laptop or PC to see connected devices to it, such as additional displays. It also monitors and records your screen live. However, the program cannot see other devices connected to your WiFi. It uses head and body tracking to tell if you are reading something other than the test items on your screen.

Before we move on to the ways Proctorio ensures a cheating-free environment, let us discuss the app in detail. 

Can Proctorio See Other Devices on Network

No, Proctorio cannot see or track other devices connected to your WiFi network. It can only detect the devices connected to your laptop or PC.

It cannot access and monitor your WiFi either. But, the program can tell if you mirror your screen to another display.

Proctorio uses a combination of recording you via a webcam and your behavior to tell if you are cheating. It also tracks your screen live and records it for later inspection.

Moreover, it forces full screen in the browser window to prevent you from using other programs.

Things You Need to Know About Proctorio

There was an unprecedented increase in the use of remote teaching and virtual meeting apps.

So, the standardized testing industry has to adapt to the changing landscape and maintain the integrity of taking exams.

Thankfully, Proctorio helps observe test takers and detect over 20 behaviors.

Here’s what you need to know about it:

1. Software for Remote Learning

Proctorio replaces the physical person in the room to monitor test takers during their exams.

It works with web browsers so that you can take quizzes and exams anywhere at your convenience.

2. Prevents Cheating

Numerous institutions use Proctorio to prevent cheating. Its features allow instructors to hold examinations and detect cheating cases by tracking and recording behaviors.

3. Tracks Head and Eye Movements

Proctorio tracks head, mouth, and eye movements during an exam. But don’t be scared to move your eyes or adjust your sitting position.

4. Monitors Web Traffic and Display

Proctorio sees and tracks the activities on your screen. It also indicates all the websites you access during the examination session.

Plus, the program takes screenshots and records the web traffic.

Now that you know everything about Proctorio let us proceed to how the software work.

Can Proctorio Detect Other Devices on WiFi

Proctorio uses artificial intelligence to track whether you are looking away from your screen.

It can detect devices connected to your laptop or computer, but it cannot see or track devices on your WiFi.

The program cannot even see your keyboard. It can only see your face.

To determine if there’s a breach in academic integrity, Proctorio tracks your head and mouth movements and records your activity to confirm instances of cheating.

Proctorio Basics: How Does It Work

To fully understand the inner workings of Proctorio and to know if it can detect other devices in your network, you need to know the basics.

Proctorio is software that you install on your browser as an extension to help with online learning.

It focuses on exam proctoring and detects your behaviors to determine if you are cheating or not.

Proctorio uses your computer or laptop’s camera to look at your facial movements. It can track eye and lip movements and flag you if it thinks you’re up to something fishy.

It also records sounds, your screen, and keystrokes to ensure that you’re not opening a new browser and searching for the answer online.

In a nutshell, here’s what Proctorio tracks:

1. Lip and head movements
2. Periodic screenshots of your screen
3. Logs of your keystrokes
4. Sound recordings

Note: The data will only be available to the institution organizing the exam.

How Proctorio Detects Cheating

Proctorio has strict monitoring protocols that can detect a student’s behavior during the exam.

It uses your device’s webcam and microphone to pick up on your facial movements and voice.

The software also prevents other activities like copy-pasting text preventing you from searching for answers online.

If Proctorio detects any suspicious activities, it will flag you, which will then be reviewed by someone in charge of the exam.

One thing to remember here is that the software is fully automated, and all it does is flag you for your behavior. It’s still up to your instructor to determine if you are cheating or not.

Here’s how Proctorio detects cheating:

1. Use your webcam to monitor the identity of the person taking the test.
2. Record audio to any unnecessary exchanges with a non-test-taker.
3. Scans your location and table for materials that could lead to cheating.
4. Detect body, and facial movements during the exam.

Note: Don’t worry if you’re adjusting your seating position or taking a quick glance at a clock on the wall.

Can Proctorio Detect Other Devices on Your WiFi

Since you’re installing Proctorio on your browser, it will surely detect that particular computer or laptop.

Even though your laptop is connected to your network, Proctorio won’t be able to detect the other devices that are on it.

So, if your brother is playing on the PS5 in the next room, Proctorio isn’t really concerned about it.

Proctorio will detect the device that it’s installed on. However, it won’t see the others that are connected to the same network.

If you’re looking at a different screen when you’re taking a proctored exam, it’s not the software detecting it but your behavior that’s making it obvious.

What Else Can Proctorio See on Your System

To help instructors and proctors monitor you during the course of the exam, Proctorio will be able to help them by looking at your activities.

The software can see a few more things on your computer that you might not expect.

To detect signs of cheating, Proctorio needs to be able to have as much data as possible to use as evidence.

Apart from the tell-tale signs of your head, mouth, and body movements, there are other behaviors that the software looks out for.

Here are some of the activities that Proctorio can track:

1. Open browser tabs, windows, and size.
2. Your mouse and keyboard movements.
3. Applications running in the background.
4. The number of screens connected to your device.
5. Web traffic on your device.

Note: After the exam ends, this information is flushed immediately out of the system to avoid privacy and security breaches.

Can Proctorio Track Your Eye Movements

Proctorio is not capable of tracking your eye movements. However, it uses facial and behavioral detection technologies to ensure you’re not reading something from behind your camera.

If you’re doing it for an extended period of time, it can become apparent, and your instructor might figure it out.

Proctorio is more concerned about making sure that your face is facing your screen and not something else.

Eye movements, such as quick glances away from your screen, are not detected. However, if you do it for a longer period, the software can flag you and forward it to your instructor.

Note: If you’re flagged by Proctorio, you might think that it’s tracking your eye movements. 

It’s not, there’s usually a series of behaviors that led the software to flag you.

Does Proctorio Have Access to Personal Files and Data

If Proctorio is installed on your computer or laptop, does it see your personal files and data?

This is definitely an important question as it’s on the verge of invading your privacy.

The good news is that Proctorio does not have access to your personal files and data.

Since the software is a browser extension, it’s mostly tied to your browser.

Since online exams usually require you to go to a website and answer the questions, tracking your browser activities is usually enough.

Here’s what you need to know about your personal data and Proctorio:

1. Proctorio does not have access to any content on your computer.
2. Proctorio will not have access to your passwords.
3. The software will not require remote access to your computer.

Note: There is nothing to worry about your data since the software won’t be able to see those.

Proctorio is a neat software that makes online exams more reliable. It prevents students from cheating and ensures the accuracy of the test scores.

If you have more questions about it, you can contact Proctorio customer service to clear up your security and privacy concerns.

Read Next: Should I Install Spectrum WiFi Profile?

Bottom Line

Can Proctorio detect other devices on WiFi? No, it can’t. It doesn’t have the capability to go through your network and list every possible device connected to it.

Now, it does ask for a room scan before you start taking the test. If it sees a phone lying around, it can assume that it’s connected to your WiFi. Other than that, it won’t!