Can You Get Caught Using TeamViewer

No one likes to fail a test at any point in their lives. Whether for academic purposes or a requirement for a job, there’s always an incentive to pass. After all, passing one test could mean the difference between getting that scholarship or job you want and losing everything.

In an attempt to avoid failing a test, people have resorted to leveraging various approaches to increase their chances of passing. One of these options is using a tool like TeamViewer to remotely provide third-party computer access to the test taker’s computer.

However, the question that remains is whether you can get caught using TeamViewer in an online test.

Yes, test takers using TeamViewer can easily be identified on proctored tests that leverage proctoring tools like Proctorio and Respondus Monitor. That said, TeamViewer cannot be identified in non-proctored tests.

Most modern online test-taking platforms leverage some form of state-change API like JavaScript page visibility API. This enables platforms to log events like switching tabs or minimizing browser windows.

Test-taking platforms that leverage such APIs cannot detect TeamViewer but can detect other activities. While some of these applications would send out a warning to test-takers in such events, others would simply log such events including the timeframe.

Only events centered around your interactions or non-interactions with the test page would be logged by these platforms. TeamViewer would not be detected in this case but other activities would be logged by these platforms.

In the case of proctored test, TeamViewer would easily be detected as these tools gain access to the user’s computer to monitor any running applications and record the computer screen, while also leveraging the computer’s webcam and microphone to record the test-taker at their home or examination environment.

In the event that a LockDown Browser is used, it would close and lock the use of any third-party applications including TeamViewer and also restrict various computer actions like shortcut keys.

Can Websites Detect TeamViewer

No, websites cannot detect the use of TeamViewer unless they have access to the network traffic between the first computer browsing the website and the second computer remotely accessing the website through the first computer.

So long as the website is hosted outside your network, it doesn’t employ the use of proctoring tools that you’ve given permission to, or it has no admin privileges to your network which would enable them to access your firewall logs, it would be close to impossible for websites to detect TeamViewer.

Can Moodle Detect TeamViewer

Moodle is one of the most popular open-source learning management systems (LMS) used by some of the oldest and well-establish tertiary institutions. With Moodle’s wide adoption, it’s understandable that some might want to know whether it can detect the use of TeamViewer.

Moodle by default cannot detect the usage of TeamViewer during tests. That said, Safe Exam Browser (SEB) which is an open-source LockDown Browser that integrates with Moodle blocks access to various applications and shortcut keys on the test taker’s system during tests.

It restricts access to system operations, other websites, and installed applications, and prevents the use of unauthorized resources during an exam. It restricts students from performing any activities outside of taking their online tests.

TeamViewer and any other applications installed on the computer would be prevented from running on the computer altogether when a Moodle test involves the use of the Safe Exam Browser (SEB).

Can Canvas Detect TeamViewer

Canvas is another popular learning management system (LMS) leveraged by multiple large institutions worldwide. With academic institutions increasingly leveraging learning management systems (LMS), Canvas continues to gain in popularity. But can Canvas detect students using TeamViewer during online tests?

Canvas alone lacks the necessary functionalities to detect the use of TeamViewer in non-proctored tests. That said, Canvas can easily detect, prevent and disable TeamViewer during tests proctored with tools like Proctorio and Respondus Monitor.

Tests on Canvas that are not proctored cannot detect the use of TeamViewer although Canvas’ quiz log can detect changes in events like switching tabs, copy-pasting, and viewing and answering questions.

In the case of tests proctored with tools like Respondus Monitor which is built on top of the LockDown Browser, using TeamViewer is impossible as the LockDown Browser restricts access to system operations, other websites, and installed applications, and prevents the use of unauthorized resources.

TeamViewer and other applications on the user’s computer would be prevented from running during proctored tests and the computer’s screen is recorded. In cases where Respondus Monitor is used, the user’s testing environment is recorded through access to the computer’s webcam and microphone.

Any suspicious activities in the user’s background would be flagged and presented to instructors for review after the test.

Can Zoom Detect TeamViewer

No, Zoom cannot detect third-party applications like TeamViewer running on a computer. However, sharing the computer’s desktop would reveal the TeamViewer icon in the taskbar when it’s running.

In cases where you need to share something on your computer, it’s advisable to only share a single tab on your browser or any single window. This prevents Zoom from showing ongoing activities on your computer including showing your taskbar.

You can easily use TeamViewer and Zoom at the same time without users on Zoom noticing the use of TeamViewer so long as you don’t share the computer’s full desktop which might show the TeamViewer icon and application running in the computer’s taskbar.

Can Blackboard Detect TeamViewer

Backboard is arguably the most popular premium learning management system (LMS) leveraged by some of the most recognized institutions worldwide. It comes with various tools that can be leveraged to ensure academic integrity including SafeAssign and LockDown Browser. That said, can Blackboard detect the use of TeamViewer during online tests?

No, Blackboard cannot detect the use of TeamViewer on non-proctored tests, but can easily identify and block its use through the LockDown Browser on proctored tests. Additionally, Respondus Monitor records the computer screen on proctored tests.

Blackboard has no functionality at present to detect the use of TeamViewer when students are taking non-proctored tests. Students can access Blackboard tests remotely through TeamViewer without worrying about getting flagged.

That said, this isn’t the case with proctored tests as the Respondus Monitor used by Blackboard leverages and builds on the functionalities of the LockDown Browser to restrict access to system operations, other websites, and installed applications including TeamViewer and virtual machines, and prevent the use of unauthorized resources during tests.

The Bottom Line

While reasons for using TeamViewer in an online test may differ, it’s important to remember that cheating can have dire consequences when you’re caught.

In the case of tests that do not require the use of any LockDown Browsers, it would be difficult to determine when some accesses the test page with TeamViewer. On the other hand, LockDown Browsers used in proctored tests restrict access to system operations, other websites, and installed applications, and prevent the use of unauthorized resources during tests.

LockDown Browsers will prevent the use of any unauthorized applications including TeamViewer and virtual machines and also restricts user activities on the computer during an ongoing test.

Copy-pasting, switching tabs, minimizing and maximizing, opening new tabs, and using shortcut keys are all disabled on the user’s computer during proctored tests.