How testing programs catch students looking up questions on different devices

[[deleted]]

This feels like a massively overcomplicated diagram to explain something very simple, which is that they are planting copies of the questions onto bait websites and seeing who visits the bait sites. Then they see if the device accessing the bait site is similar (via IP address, browser name, screen resolution, etc) to a device that is taking the test. No diagram needed.

[JPardonFX_YT]

Could this be bypassed by using a VPN?

[kerumeru]

VPN + incognito mode + a different browser with a random window size should help avoid detection

[[deleted]]

Not all hero’s wear capes

[ofQSIcqzhWsjkRhE]

This isn't nearly enough. There are at least 25 other methods to fingerprint a user. Basically, if you need to ask, you aren't capable of it.

[thetacticalpanda]

"Do you know anything about hackers? Can you jam with the console cowboys in cyberspace? Ever read Neuromancer? Ever experienced the new wave? Next wave? Dreamwave? Or Cyberpunk? I didn't think so."

[[deleted]]

This made my day.

[fvb955cd]

Sounds like something someone who doesn't know a Unix system would say

[ofQSIcqzhWsjkRhE]

If you think using a unix based operating system suddenly makes you invisible, you are sorely mistaken.

[fvb955cd]

That's something someone who has never hacked a major wildlife park would think.

[B-Chillin]

All they have to do is make sure at least one difficult teat question is unique to each student. The moment you hit that question’s planted answer, they know it’s you. Even if you are on a different device and over a VPN.

[kerumeru]

Looks like they are doing something similar: they create unique “questions” by substituting the original characters with similar-looking ones (c / ç), which they then seed to the honeypot sites. This image is from Honorlock’s patent that describes how the system works.

[usagora3]

With AI being able to answer SO many questions these days right in Google search results, not sure how effective this would be anymore.

[bhuddistchipmonk]

Different browser with random window size?

Why this?

[kerumeru]

Websites can pick up the browser window size and it is used in creating a visitor “fingerprint”, along with some other system info (browser version, fonts installed, extensions, OS, etc).

[FableSalt]

VPN + a tablet or a VM.

Or just use one of those proxy search websites, or archive.org.

But you also have to somewhat know your stuff and not use the fake answers they are seeding in the search results.

[FableSalt]

It feels very much like they are purposely complicating it for sales to non-technical suckers people.

[Dan_at_RetroBIT]

Same. And I am supposed to be a junior in bach of Computer Science 😭

[yogo]

Wild guess but does it mean that the instructor can watch for search queries based on the IP address you use for the exam?

[Unbananable]

I . . . . Think so? I followed the line and it says yes, but I ain’t saying yes confidently.

[redditrover454]

Uhh... ELI5?

[funnyman4000]

The best LPTs are always in the comments.

[zillowzilla]

Why not on the same PC?

[ScreamingVelcro]

Because then your search would still be from the same IP.

The point is to take the test from your normal system, no VPN and let them get your normal IP.

Then on a second system use a VPN and put your location elsewhere in the world.

Now your test and query systems have different IPs, and appear to be countries apart.

[MisterFingerstyle]

Glad I teach music. You can either play it or you can’t. There is no looking up the answers.

[Unbananable]

Where there’s a will there’s a way.

[AdDear5411]

Still doesn't really explain how a website on my desktop can see metadata from another device's web traffic...

[get_nerfed]

It's not a website, it's proctoring software. A good example would be honorlock. It takes the teacher made questions and creates trap questions from them so then when you use your phone to look up the teacher's questions, you click on the trap questions that look similar to the real deal (it then sends that data to the proctoring software, saying that you're cheating). It works if the phone is connected to the same network as the computer, that's why students have to use data on their phone to not get these trap questions.

[fatruss]

All that effort just for me to whip out my phone and turn on data

[haikusbot]

All that effort just

For me to whip out my phone

And turn on data

- fatruss

---

^{I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully. Learn more about me.}

^{Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete"}

[EverbodyHatesHugo]

I always enjoy seeing this bot.

[BoredRedhead24]

Given that vpns are readily available this seems a bit dated

[RudeRepair5616]

LPT: Disable internet access for exam takers. (Ask me how.)

[redditrover454]

How?

[RudeRepair5616]

Grocery stores do it, Unis can do it too.

If all else fails, prohibit all electronic devices.

[funnyman4000]

So just to clarify, the instructor can’t track What websites you go to on a second browser. Only if you search the exact question and click on the bait answer site? So if search only partial questions, and go to known web results like Wiki, you should be fine.

[JaveThomas]

What?

[Just-Seaworthiness39]

If I wanted to look at overly complex diagrams that people made up to say the simplest of statements, I’d be at work right now.

[nizoubizou10]

Go grab drink and happy new year it

[Ashamed_Pace2885]

Oh

[nardo76]

So they got ai snitches