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+--- Thread: Just an FYI about ProctorU (/Thread-Just-an-FYI-about-ProctorU)
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Just an FYI about ProctorU - jsh1138 - 05-21-2018
Straighterline uses them, as does TESU. Not sure who else does. Anyway, I have taken several tests with them and they're always a pain to get going with, seems like it takes 20 min for them to get you ready to take your test, but that's not the end of the world.
So I was taking a test with them Saturday through TESU, and part of the process is you have to give them control of your mouse so they can look around and make sure you aren't running certain programs or anything. So for some reason, this proctor I had Sat decided to turn off my anti-virus on my PC, turn off my thermal controls for my cooler, and then go into my browser options and turn down a scheduled update, and then clicked "never remind me about this again" on the options for future updates.
I'm sure it was probably harmless but I'm really not comfortable with someone who has been given remote access to my PC turning off my anti-virus and tinkering with my browser settings. None of the other proctors have ever done that so I'm not sure what the deal was, but after the test was over I had to go back and undo all that stuff so I just thought I would mention it in case some of you guys get a proctor who does the same thing while you aren't paying attention.
RE: Just an FYI about ProctorU - jsd - 05-21-2018
Absolutely send this information to ProctorU directly
RE: Just an FYI about ProctorU - dfrecore - 05-21-2018
That absolutely does NOT sound harmless. I've done at least 10 ProctorU exams, and I've NEVER had one do any of that stuff. This guy was definitely doing something wrong, and you need to report it IMMEDIATELY. He was setting you up to get hacked.
RE: Just an FYI about ProctorU - Merlin - 05-21-2018
(05-21-2018, 12:55 AM)jsd Wrote: Absolutely send this information to ProctorU directly
I agree. You should chat with someone at ProctorU.
You agree to allow them to shut down non-essential programs that may be running (including calculators, etc.) which could be used to cheat, but they should not mess with any system settings or access anything on your computer that isn't directly related to verifying you don't have a hidden second monitor or making sure your camera and sound is working for the proctor session.
In my case, I usually have my camera settings software running during my proctor setup so I can manually adjust the focus for ID check, etc. They asked about it once, but once I explained what it was for they left it alone. Aside from that, they've never messed with anything else except to access my video settings to verify no second monitor.
RE: Just an FYI about ProctorU - mudball - 05-21-2018
Yes, please report them. Some of us (meaning me), wouldn't easily be able to tell if they were doing harmful things. It has always kind of scared me that one of them may try to do something like that. Especially since they can see me, and may rightly assume I would be an easy target.
RE: Just an FYI about ProctorU - cookderosa - 05-21-2018
(05-21-2018, 12:55 AM)jsd Wrote: Absolutely send this information to ProctorU directly
Agreed!! That seems to be an overstepping of boundaries.
(05-21-2018, 05:35 AM)mudball Wrote: Yes, please report them. Some of us (meaning me), wouldn't easily be able to tell if they were doing harmful things. It has always kind of scared me that one of them may try to do something like that. Especially since they can see me, and may rightly assume I would be an easy target.
EXCELLENT POINT!!! I hadn't thought about that, but you're right- I wouldn't know either!!
RE: Just an FYI about ProctorU - jsh1138 - 05-21-2018
I mentioned it on the post-exam feedback survey they ask you to do. I guess we'll see if anyone actually reads those.
RE: Just an FYI about ProctorU - jsd - 05-21-2018
I wouldn’t let it end with a survey that some research company probably does for them. I would be emailing or calling directly and making sure it’s addressed
RE: Just an FYI about ProctorU - dfrecore - 05-21-2018
Yeah, that's not even close to enough. I would be calling them directly and asking to speak with the president of the company, because they have an employee who is a hacker and trying to break into your computer. Not even kidding, they will never see your survey, but you NEED to call them to report this. It's really important.
I would also mention right there on the phone that my next calls were going to be to all of the course providers who use them, starting with TESU, and moving on to Saylor, Straighterline, Ed4Credit, and as many as I can find that use them. This needs to be fixed immediately.
RE: Just an FYI about ProctorU - Excellente - 05-21-2018
I have used ProctorU many times, without any problems.
DS however was taking 3 exams back-to-back and had several problems:
1. exam 1: proctor exited his exam resulting in 1% score (he was allowed to retake).
2. exam 2: proctor loaded exam 3 instead (DS passed, SL got the notice that he did the exam, but the proctor did not forward the score to SL) DS is working on getting this straightened out currently, but I wonder how that will go as we just found out and the exam was a month ago)
Anyone had a similar issue?