Cougar Analytics Quiz Monitor Chrome extension security report

Cougar Analytics Chrome Extension Required for students taking quizzes on the Cougar Analytics educational platform Overview The Cougar Analytics Chrome Extension is a required companion tool for students enrolled in courses using the Cougar Analytics learning platform. This extension helps maintain academic integrity during online assessments by monitoring browser activity and enabling screen sharing during quizzes. Important: This extension is only needed when taking quizzes. It does not affect your regular browsing or other coursework activities. Key Features 🔍 AI Website Detection The extension monitors your browser tabs to detect if AI-powered websites (such as ChatGPT, Claude AI, Copilot, Gemini, and others) are open while you're taking a quiz. If AI tools are detected, you'll be notified to close those tabs before proceeding with your assessment. Monitored AI websites include: - ChatGPT (chat.openai.com, chatgpt.com) - Claude AI (claude.ai) - Microsoft Copilot (copilot.microsoft.com) - Google Gemini (gemini.google.com) - Perplexity AI (perplexity.ai) - And other AI-powered tools 📹 Screen Capture Monitoring During quizzes, the extension facilitates screen sharing to ensure you're working independently. You'll be prompted to start screen sharing when you begin a quiz. The screen capture feature helps instructors verify that assessments are completed according to course policies. ✅ Quiz Readiness Verification The extension communicates with the Cougar Analytics website to verify that: - The extension is properly installed and running - No unauthorized AI tools are being used - Screen sharing is active when required - Your quiz environment meets the course requirements How It Works 1. Install the Extension - Add the extension to Chrome before taking your first quiz 2. Navigate to Your Quiz - Go to your Cougar Analytics course and open a quiz 3. Extension Activates - The extension automatically checks for AI tabs and prompts for screen sharing 4. Complete Your Quiz - Once all requirements are met, you can proceed with your assessment 5. Normal Browsing Resumes - After the quiz, the extension remains inactive during regular coursework Privacy & Permissions What the Extension Does: - Monitors tab URLs - Only checks if AI websites are open, does not read page content or personal data - Enables screen capture - Facilitates screen sharing during quizzes only (you must grant permission) - Communicates with Cougar Analytics - Sends status updates to the quiz page about extension readiness - Sets local storage values - Stores extension status flags to communicate with the website What the Extension Does NOT Do: - ❌ Does not track your browsing history outside of quiz sessions - ❌ Does not collect personal information or login credentials - ❌ Does not record keystrokes or mouse movements - ❌ Does not monitor your activity when you're not taking quizzes - ❌ Does not share data with third parties - ❌ Does not access files on your computer Required Permissions: - tabs - To detect if AI websites are open in other tabs - activeTab - To communicate with the Cougar Analytics quiz page - storage - To maintain extension status for quiz readiness checks - host permissions - To interact with your Cougar Analytics course website System Requirements - Browser: Google Chrome (version 88 or higher recommended) - Operating System: Windows, macOS, Linux, or Chrome OS - Internet Connection: Required for communication with Cougar Analytics platform - Screen Sharing Permission: You'll need to grant permission when prompted during quizzes Frequently Asked Questions Do I need this extension for all my coursework? No, the extension is only required when taking quizzes. You can complete all other coursework activities (pre-class assignments, reading materials, etc.) without the extension. Will this extension slow down my browser? No, the extension is lightweight and only actively monitors during quiz sessions. It has minimal impact on browser performance. What happens if I uninstall the extension? If you uninstall the extension, you will not be able to take quizzes on the Cougar Analytics platform. You'll be prompted to reinstall it when you attempt to access a quiz. Can I disable the extension temporarily? You can disable the extension when you're not taking quizzes, but you must re-enable it before starting any assessments. The quiz page will detect if the extension is not running. What if the extension doesn't detect AI tabs correctly? If you believe there's an error in AI website detection, please contact your instructor or course administrator for assistance. Does this extension work on other browsers? Currently, the extension is only available for Google Chrome and Chromium-based browsers (such as Microsoft Edge or Brave). It does not work on Firefox, Safari, or other browsers. What if I have multiple Chrome profiles? You'll need to install the extension in each Chrome profile where you plan to take quizzes. Troubleshooting Extension Not Detected on Quiz Page Solution: 1. Verify the extension is installed and enabled (check chrome://extensions/) 2. Refresh the quiz page after installing the extension 3. Check that you're using a supported Chrome browser version 4. Try restarting your browser Screen Sharing Won't Start Solution: 1. Check that you've granted screen sharing permissions in your browser 2. Close any AI websites that may be open in other tabs 3. Click the "Start Screen Sharing" button again 4. Try refreshing the quiz page AI Tabs Warning Won't Clear Solution: 1. Ensure all AI-powered websites are completely closed (check all open tabs) 2. Close tabs with ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Gemini, or similar AI tools 3. Refresh the quiz page after closing AI tabs 4. Check for pinned tabs that may contain AI websites Extension Stops Working Mid-Quiz Solution: 1. Do not reload or update the extension during a quiz 2. Keep the quiz tab active and in focus 3. Avoid switching between Chrome profiles during quizzes 4. If issues persist, contact your instructor immediately Academic Integrity This extension is designed to support academic integrity in online learning environments. By using this extension, you agree to: - Complete all quizzes and assessments independently - Not use AI tools or unauthorized resources during assessments - Allow screen capture monitoring as required by your course - Follow your institution's academic honesty policies Remember: The extension is a tool to help you demonstrate your knowledge fairly. If you have questions about what resources are allowed during quizzes, always ask your instructor. Support For technical issues or questions about the extension: 1. Check with your instructor - They can help with course-specific policies and requirements 2. Review the troubleshooting section - Most common issues have simple solutions 3. Report bugs - Contact your course administrator if you encounter persistent technical problems About Cougar Analytics Cougar Analytics is an interactive educational platform designed to teach data analytics and Python programming through hands-on exercises and real-world applications. The platform emphasizes practical skills development in a supportive learning environment. This extension is an official component of the Cougar Analytics assessment system, developed to ensure fair and secure online testing for all students. Note to Instructors: If you're an educator interested in using Cougar Analytics for your courses, please contact the platform administrators for information about course setup and configuration options.