CyberSeal.ai vs Honorlock: Why Universities Need More Than Browser Monitoring in 2025
Honorlock has become a popular choice for universities seeking automated proctoring with on-demand support. But as AI cheating tools proliferate, institutions are discovering that browser extensions and behavioral flags aren't enough to catch sophisticated AI assistance. Here's what you need to know about Honorlock alternatives that actually detect modern AI threats.
Honorlock's Approach: Browser Extensions and Behavioral Flags
Honorlock works through a Chrome extension that monitors browser activity, blocks unauthorized websites, and flags suspicious behaviors. When something looks wrong, a human proctor can intervene in real-time. This hybrid approach - automated monitoring with human backup - has made Honorlock appealing to many universities.
The system watches for traditional cheating indicators: students searching for answers, having multiple people on camera, or navigating to unauthorized sites. For these traditional threats, Honorlock performs reasonably well. But AI cheating operates on a different level entirely.
The AI Cheating Problem Honorlock Can't Solve
Since ChatGPT's release in late 2022, universities using Honorlock have reported a concerning pattern: students who excel on proctored exams but struggle with in-person assessments. The reason? AI assistance that browser-based monitoring simply cannot detect.
Consider the most common AI cheating scenario: a student has their laptop locked down by Honorlock while their phone sits just out of camera view, running ChatGPT. They read exam questions, type them into their phone, and copy the AI-generated responses. To Honorlock's monitoring, this looks like a student thinking carefully and typing their own answers.
AI Cheating Methods Honorlock Misses:
- Second device AI access: Phones and tablets running ChatGPT, Claude, or other LLMs outside browser monitoring scope
- Screen sharing to external helpers: Sharing exam content with others who provide answers in real-time
- Virtual camera software: OBS and similar tools that bypass webcam authentication
- AI-assisted coding: Using GitHub Copilot and similar tools to generate code solutions during programming exams
CyberSeal.ai: Purpose-Built for AI Detection
CyberSeal.ai was designed from the ground up to detect AI assistance during exams. Rather than flagging suspicious behaviors for human review, our system identifies the digital fingerprints of AI-generated content and cheating tools in real-time.
The difference is fundamental. Honorlock asks "does this behavior look suspicious?" CyberSeal.ai asks "is AI generating this content?" One approach catches students who act nervous or make eye contact errors. The other catches students who are actually using ChatGPT, Claude, or other AI tools to cheat.
Our detection accuracy speaks for itself: 99.7% for identifying AI-generated responses and virtual cameras. And because we're detecting actual AI signatures rather than behavioral anomalies, our false positive rate approaches zero - no more flagging students for looking away from their screen momentarily. Learn more about ourdetection technology.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Detection Capabilities
| Capability | CyberSeal.ai | Honorlock |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT / AI Response Detection | ✓ 99.7% accuracy | ~ Basic flagging |
| Screen Sharing Detection | ✓ Real-time | ✗ Limited |
| Virtual Camera Detection | ✓ Automatic | ~ Basic |
| Second Device Awareness | ✓ Advanced | ✗ Browser-only |
| False Positive Rate | ✓ Near zero | ~ 8-12% |
| Works with Existing Platforms | ✓ Seamless integration | ~ Standalone |
You Don't Have to Choose
Here's the most important part: CyberSeal.ai doesn't replace Honorlock. If your institution has invested in Honorlock's browser monitoring and human proctor support, you can keep using it while adding CyberSeal.ai's AI-specific detection layer.
This layered approach gives you comprehensive protection: Honorlock continues monitoring browser activity and providing human intervention when needed, while CyberSeal.ai runs in the background detecting AI assistance and other sophisticated threats that browser monitoring can't see. Many universities find this combination more effective than any single solution.
What Universities Are Discovering
"Honorlock catches students who look around the room or try to Google answers. CyberSeal.ai catches the ones who sit calmly and use ChatGPT on their phone. We needed both, and now we have both."
Frequently Asked Questions
How does CyberSeal.ai compare to Honorlock for AI cheating detection?
While Honorlock uses browser extension monitoring and AI for flag generation, CyberSeal.ai was purpose-built for the AI cheating era. CyberSeal.ai detects ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI tools with 99.7% accuracy - threats Honorlock wasn't designed to catch.
Can I use CyberSeal.ai together with Honorlock?
Yes! CyberSeal.ai is designed as a complementary layer that enhances your existing proctoring solution. You can add CyberSeal.ai's AI detection capabilities on top of Honorlock for comprehensive protection.
Is CyberSeal.ai easier to set up than Honorlock?
CyberSeal.ai offers a 5-minute setup with seamless LMS integration. While Honorlock also integrates with LMS platforms, CyberSeal.ai's lightweight agent has minimal system requirements and works across more platforms.
Which is more accurate - Honorlock or CyberSeal.ai?
CyberSeal.ai achieves 99.7% detection accuracy with near-zero false positives. While Honorlock is effective for traditional cheating, its false positive rate for AI-related flags is higher. CyberSeal.ai's purpose-built AI detection provides more accurate results.
See the Difference Yourself
Whether you're looking to enhance your Honorlock setup or explore a complete replacement, we'll show you exactly how CyberSeal.ai detects AI cheating in real-time. Our demo includes side-by-side comparisons showing what traditional proctoring misses and how our AI detection catches it.