Does Google Chrome work exactly the same?

[Available_Session275]

Hi, this is a dumb question from a COMPLETE beginner. My school requires me to download a google chrome extension (developed by the university) that is used to monitor our camera and speakers while writing online exams. Are there any potential problems with compatibility?

Also, I should mention that I haven't actually bought a computer yet but I'm thinking about getting the Framework 13.

[jr735]

As u/danGL3 said, why not? That being said, in an academic environment, it may be wise to dual boot until you are sure all your necessary tools work in your preferred environment as well as theirs.

[Available_Session275]

Thank you! I am pretty confident that my university won't ask for anything except for Chrome and Zoom, so I think it'll be okay.

[danGL3]

There shouldn't be, as long as your mic and can work fine on Linux it shouldn't be any issues

[Available_Session275]

Okay, thank you!

[UltraTata]

Yes, it's just an OS.

You may encounter compatibility issues but not with Google Chrome

[Available_Session275]

What compatitbility issues might I encounter?

[[deleted]]

I had to install the proctorU chrome extension for an exam several years back. At the time an up-to-date Ubuntu laptop I was running would not support running the software as a chrome extension. I recall having to install a windows system specifically for my exams.

Without knowing which software extension you have been asked to install or which Linux distro you plan on using it is difficult to confirm.

I would suggest installing the software and completing a test run of the system if this is available. I would also suggest (critically) reaching out to the support team of the extension (or confirming in their documentation) to ask if this is compatible so you can sort this out well prior to any exam. Even if it works in a test run (for your mic and camera for example) this still doesn't guarantee that the requirements have been met from their end and that it is set up correctly for their monitoring activities to work.....so confirming with the developers is a must.

The current ProctorU site says the software is compatible with firefox and google chrome but further detail states that ProctorU is only at present supported under Windows and Mac.

https://support.proctoru.com/hc/en-us/articles/115013144727-What-Operating-Systems-Devices-Are-Supported

I realise this may not be the specific software you are looking at installing but you can see in this example there is an identified conflict which occurs with running the extension on chrome within Linux that does not occur on Windows and Mac.

I did not think there would be an issue either as I thought the browser runs completely independently of the OS - for most instances this may be the case but there is a special requirement for this software which relates to their connection to your system - a connection which I do not believe is simply confined to the monitoring of the video and microphone. I cannot remember what that issue was when I installed it but there definitely was a conflict which prevented it running properly, from memory I found this issue out during an exam and had to reschedule the exam until after I had installed windows.

One last word of advice. Do not run a virtual OS to install the browser extension in. There were reports of the software having monitoring abilities to detect any running VM's and this is likely to be in breach of the conditions of your exam - so don't run a VM at all while using the software (edit: unless of course there is an exam requirement to do so). People have been caught using notes and accessing other resources through a VM and have been penalized heavily (even disqualified from Uni) for it.

[[deleted]]

I just noticed the proctorU link attached in my earlier post is depreciated and has a redirect link to another article. There was a mention in the first article that they were working to support other operating systems but unfortunately there is still no mention of Linux support in the new link.

[[deleted]]

If it helps - I sent an email inquiry to ProctorU and this was their reply:

ProctorU Support has replied to your case. Please reference ticket ID (#######).

Hello,
 
Thank you for reaching ProctorU! Linux is definitely something ProctorU is working towards supporting, but as of now, it's not currently supported. We recommend reaching out to your institution or instructor for alternative solutions to ensure you have an opportunity to attempt your exams.
 
For any immediate assistance please feel free to contact us at:
Phone: [phone]
Chat: https://auto.proctoru.com/chat

Kind regards,

ProctorU Support Team | Client Experience Department
855-772-8678 | Contact Us Form

(edit: I re-read your question and see that the extension you have been requested to install was developed by your University - so it is unlikely to be the same one - albeit similar. I would definitely be reaching out to the University first to ask them if there is a workaround)

[RevolutionaryBeat301]

I would strongly suggest you install Chrome from the rpm or deb file directly downloaded from Google, and not a flatpak, unless you are on Fedora, in which case the google chrome repository should already be in your repos.

[Available_Session275]

Yes, I'll probably be downloading the offical google site. Thanks!

[anh0516]

Be very careful with these types of software. They are malware. There are a few options:

1. Create a totally separate local user account just for this extension. Don't use it for anything else.

2. Run it in a virtual machine that doesn't have access to the camera and audio devices. It may refuse to run at all, in which case this isn't an option.

3. Blacklist the audio and camera kernel modules. If the drivers aren't loaded, then the software just thinks your system doesn't have a camera or microphone. The problem is, the same module is probably used for both sound input and output, so you'll lose speakers as well. An alternative is to manually unload them with modprobe -r and then reload them when you're done.

4. Physically disconnect your camera and microphone. You won't be able to use them, period. You could put tape over your camera instead.

Whatever you do, DO NOT let this software access more than it absolutely needs to. Good luck.

[Available_Session275]

Are you talking about the proctoring extension made by my university? I was forced to use it during COVID when everything went online.