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OpenLock
What it is
OpenLock is a free, open-source exam lockdown browser built natively for Linux. It is intended to provide Safe Exam Browser-style controls on supported Linux distributions, including Ubuntu 22.04 or newer, Fedora 38 or newer, and Arch Linux, with Qt6 and QtWebEngine required. The browser reads .seb configuration files and can add Browser Exam Key and Config Key headers to requests, although the project says those keys do not currently match an LMS handshake. Fullscreen kiosk operation uses X11 override-redirect or a Wayland/Cage compositor. A process guard monitors and stops prohibited software, including screen recorders, virtual machines, and remote-desktop tools. Input lockdown blocks app-switching shortcuts, copying, printing, and clipboard use. Browser hardening disables developer tools, source viewing, downloads, right-click, console access, and drag-and-drop. URL policies, security checks, cgroups v2 isolation, and an off-the-record profile are also listed.
For and against
For
- Free and open-source Linux application
- Fullscreen kiosk operation
- Blocks app switching and clipboard use
- Stops prohibited processes
- Supports URL whitelist and blacklist policies
Against
- Not exam-ready according to the project
- LMS handshake keys currently fail to match
- Live Moodle, Canvas, and Blackboard validation absent
- Distribution packages are planned, not available
The verdict
OpenLock lists extensive Linux lockdown controls, from kiosk mode and process monitoring to browser and input restrictions. Its stated SEB key and live-LMS limitations mean it is not ready for exams yet.
Who it suits
OpenLock suits Linux users who need a native lockdown-browser project and can work within its current validation limits. It may interest contributors, since the maker welcomes issue-led contributions.
On the record
- Browser hardening
- It disables developer tools, view source, downloads, right-click, console access and drag-and-drop.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Browser restrictions
- Browser hardening disables DevTools, View Source, downloads, right-click, console and drag-and-drop.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Contribution support
- The maker welcomes contributions and asks contributors to open an issue before making changes.github.com · read 30 Sep 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 · read 30 Sep 2026
- Data handling
- The security model specifies an off-the-record browser profile with no persistent storage and permissions denied by default.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Distribution packaging
- AppImage, .deb, .rpm and Flatpak packaging are listed as planned rather than available releases.github.com · read 30 Sep 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 · read 30 Sep 2026
- Input lockdown
- It blocks escape shortcuts including Alt+Tab, Alt+F4, Ctrl+C and PrintScreen and restricts clipboard use.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Input restrictions
- Input lockdown blocks shortcuts including Alt+Tab, Alt+F4, Ctrl+C and PrintScreen, as well as clipboard use.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Integrity checks
- The project lists VM, debugger and hypervisor detection, plus optional self-hash verification, as security measures.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Kiosk mode
- Its kiosk mode uses fullscreen takeover via X11 override-redirect or a Wayland/Cage compositor.github.com · read 30 Sep 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 · read 30 Sep 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 · read 30 Sep 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 · read 30 Sep 2026
- Native Linux app
- It is built natively for Linux rather than through a compatibility layer.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Navigation controls
- OpenLock supports URL whitelist and blacklist filtering and navigation policy enforcement.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Process guard
- It monitors and kills prohibited processes such as screen recorders, virtual machines and remote-desktop tools.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Process protection
- A process guard monitors and kills prohibited processes such as screen recorders, virtual machines and remote desktop software.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
