LockDown Browser Copy/Paste Disabled on Mac (What Works and What Doesn't)
What's blocked by default
| Action | Status during exam |
|---|---|
| Cmd-C in exam window → Cmd-V in another app | Blocked - exam content can't leave LDB |
| Cmd-C in another app → Cmd-V in exam window | Blocked - outside content can't enter exam |
| Right-click → Copy → paste anywhere | Right-click context menu stripped of Copy |
| Drag-drop text from exam to another app | Drag-drop blocked across kiosk boundary |
| Drag-drop image / file from exam | Blocked |
| Print Cmd-P | Blocked |
| Save as PDF | Blocked |
What still works (within the exam)
| Action | Typically works |
|---|---|
| Cmd-C / Cmd-V in the same essay textbox | ✓ (typing helper) |
| Cmd-C in one essay → Cmd-V in another essay (same exam) | Institution-configurable; usually ✓ |
| Cmd-A select all in essay | ✓ |
| Cmd-Z undo within textbox | ✓ |
| Cmd-X cut within textbox | ✓ |
| Right-click → Spell-check suggestions | Institution-configurable |
How the block is implemented
LDB intercepts the system's copy/paste at multiple layers:
- Keyboard event interception. Cmd-C and Cmd-V keystrokes are caught by LDB before macOS's standard handlers see them.
- Pasteboard isolation. Anything copied within the exam is written to a sandboxed pasteboard; the system pasteboard is not modified.
- Cross-app clipboard sharing blocked. macOS's NSPasteboard sharing is interrupted at the kiosk-mode boundary.
- Right-click menu stripped. The context menu rendered by WebKit shows only spell-check (if allowed) and basic editing - no Copy/Save/Inspect.
Why instructors disable copy/paste
- Prevents pasting pre-prepared answers from notes.
- Prevents copying exam content for distribution.
- Prevents using AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT, etc.) by pasting questions in.
- Prevents collaborating in real-time via shared documents.
What it doesn't prevent
Honest list - kiosk mode is not a complete enforcement:
- You can re-type content from notes you've memorised.
- You can use a second device (phone) to look up information - but Monitor records "looking away from screen".
- You can write on paper. Most institutions allow this; some flag in Monitor.
- The kiosk mode doesn't prevent your eyes - only your keystrokes.
If your exam allows copy/paste (some do)
Some Respondus Dashboard configurations enable within-exam copy/paste. Symptoms:
- Right-click in essay shows "Copy" / "Paste".
- Cmd-C / Cmd-V work between essay textboxes in the same exam.
- The exam interface may have a built-in "scratch pad" textbox.
Cross-app paste is still blocked even when within-exam is allowed.
Edge cases
Accessibility tools (VoiceOver, Dictation)
Some Accessibility-grade tools that integrate with the system pasteboard are also blocked by LDB's kiosk mode. Students with documented disability accommodations should request alternative arrangements via their disability office.
Built-in dictionary lookup (Cmd-Ctrl-D)
Apple's built-in dictionary popup is typically blocked by LDB. Use the LMS's spell-check if available.
Spell-check suggestions
WebKit's spell-check is institution-configurable. Default: enabled (you see red squiggles + can right-click for suggestions). Some institutions disable it for language exams specifically.
Frequently asked questions
Can I copy from a previous question to a later question?
Within the same exam, usually yes - Cmd-C in one essay textbox + Cmd-V in another. Institution-configurable. If your exam disables this too, you have to re-type.
What if I accidentally paste something I copied before the exam?
You can't - the system pasteboard is isolated from LDB. Anything you copied before launching LDB is unreachable from the exam. The exam pasteboard is empty at start.
Can I copy/paste from a textbook PDF I'm allowed to reference?
No - the PDF would be in another app, and cross-app paste is blocked. If your exam allows reference materials, the materials need to be pasted in by the instructor (some Dashboards support this) or your exam needs to allow note-taking in advance.