OpenLock

Summary

OpenLock is a free, open-source exam lockdown browser built natively for Linux. It is intended to bring Safe Exam Browser-style restrictions to Linux, but the project says it is not ready for exams: its SEB key derivation is not byte-exact, so its LMS handshake will fail. It can parse .seb configuration files and attach Browser Exam Key and Config Key headers, although those keys will not match the handshake. Its restrictions include fullscreen kiosk mode, monitoring and stopping prohibited processes, blocking shortcuts and clipboard use, and disabling browser tools and actions such as downloads and right-click. It also lists VM, debugger, and hypervisor detection, optional self-hash verification, URL filtering, cgroups v2 process isolation, and an off-the-record profile with permissions denied by default. Moodle, Canvas, and Blackboard adapters are listed, but the project has not been validated against live instances. Documented prerequisites include Ubuntu 22.04 or later, Fedora 38 or later, or Arch Linux, plus Qt6 and QtWebEngine. AppImage, .deb, .rpm, and Flatpak packaging are planned, not available releases.

Who it is for

OpenLock may interest Linux users exploring exam-lockdown software or contributing to the project. It is not suitable for administering exams in its current state, according to the project.

Compared on lockdown browser software

Free plan

Yesgithub.com

Supported platforms

Linuxgithub.com

Blocks app switching

Yesgithub.com

Blocks copy and printing

Yesgithub.com

Blocks screen capture

Yesgithub.com

Facts

Purpose

OpenLock is an open-source lockdown exam browser for Linux intended to bring Safe Exam Browser style exam lockdown to Linux distributions.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Exam status

The project says it is not exam-ready because its SEB key derivation is not byte-exact and has not been validated against a live LMS.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

SEB protocol

It parses .seb configuration files and attaches Browser Exam Key and Config Key headers to requests, but the project says these keys currently will not match an LMS handshake.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Kiosk mode

Its kiosk mode uses fullscreen takeover via X11 override-redirect or a Wayland/Cage compositor.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Process protection

A process guard monitors and kills prohibited processes such as screen recorders, virtual machines and remote desktop software.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Input restrictions

Input lockdown blocks shortcuts including Alt+Tab, Alt+F4, Ctrl+C and PrintScreen, as well as clipboard use.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Browser restrictions

Browser hardening disables DevTools, View Source, downloads, right-click, console and drag-and-drop.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Integrity checks

The project lists VM, debugger and hypervisor detection, plus optional self-hash verification, as security measures.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Navigation controls

OpenLock supports URL whitelist and blacklist filtering and navigation policy enforcement.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

LMS integrations

The project lists adapters for Moodle, Canvas and Blackboard, but says it has not been tested against live instances of those LMS platforms.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Data handling

The security model specifies an off-the-record browser profile with no persistent storage and permissions denied by default.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Linux requirements

The stated prerequisites include Ubuntu 22.04 or later, Fedora 38 or later, or Arch Linux, along with Qt6 and QtWebEngine.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Distribution packaging

AppImage, .deb, .rpm and Flatpak packaging are listed as planned rather than available releases.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

License

The repository says the project follows the Mozilla Public License 2.0 and allows proprietary use if modifications to MPL-licensed files remain open.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Native Linux app

It is built natively for Linux rather than through a compatibility layer.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Process guard

It monitors and kills prohibited processes such as screen recorders, virtual machines and remote-desktop tools.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Input lockdown

It blocks escape shortcuts including Alt+Tab, Alt+F4, Ctrl+C and PrintScreen and restricts clipboard use.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Browser hardening

It disables developer tools, view source, downloads, right-click, console access and drag-and-drop.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Security model

Its security model uses cgroups v2 process isolation, input capture, an off-the-record browser profile, denied permissions and URL filtering.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Supported distributions

The documented prerequisites include Ubuntu 22.04 or newer, Fedora 38 or newer and Arch Linux.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Current limitation

The repository states that OpenLock is not exam-ready because its SEB key derivation is not yet byte-exact and the LMS handshake fails.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Validation status

The project has not been validated against a live Moodle, Canvas or Blackboard instance.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Contribution support

The maker welcomes contributions and asks contributors to open an issue before making changes.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Where it ranks on Everything Xiaomi

• Best Lockdown Browser Software in 2026#8 of 22

Sources

• github.com/oneKn8/openlock_browser· checked 30 Sept 2026