Welcome to the official installation guide for SMOWL CM on Linux operating systems. At Smowltech, our goal is for your assessment experience to be smooth and secure. This Computer Monitoring tool allows you to take your exams with total integrity, ensuring that your effort is fairly recognized.
Below, you will find all the necessary steps to configure the software on your computer, from verifying requirements to resolving possible conflicts with security programs.
1. Technical Requirements for Your Equipment
Before starting the download, it is essential that you check if your computer meets the minimum technical specifications. This will prevent interruptions during the academic activity and ensure optimal performance of the tool.
To use SMOWL CM on Linux, you need:
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2. How to Find the Download Link
The SMOWL CM tool is not downloaded from a public website, but is integrated into your learning environment. The specific link is available within the course or activity you are going to take.
Depending on the platform your institution uses (LMS), the location of the installer may vary slightly. Here is where to look based on your virtual campus:
On Moodle or OpenLMS platforms
Look for a side block or a specific section within your course called "SMOWL". There you will see the download button for the Linux installer.
On Blackboard, Canvas, or D2L
A direct download button usually appears within the SMOWL tool itself when accessing the evaluation activity.
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If you have difficulty locating the file, we recommend contacting the teaching staff or administrative personnel of your institution. They will indicate the exact place where they have located the tool.
3. Step-by-Step Installation Process
Once you have downloaded the file with the .deb extension, you can choose between two installation methods based on your preference: using your desktop's visual interface or through the command terminal.
Method A: Installation via Graphical Interface
This is the easiest method for most students.
Locate the downloaded file in your "Downloads" folder.
Double-click on the SMOWL CM file.
Your system's software manager will open. Click the top button that says "Install".
For security, the system will ask for your administrator password. Enter it to authorize the process.
Wait for the progress bar to finish. Once installed, you can close the window.
Method B: Installation Using Terminal Commands
To perform the installation using terminal commands, we will use the following:
sudo apt install <SCM.deb> or sudo dpkg -i <SCM.deb> |
For example, if we execute from the directory where we have the executable, it would be:
sudo apt install ./SCM.deb |
Once the installation is complete, proceed to perform the check.
4. System Check and Verification
It is essential to confirm that the installation was successful before the day of your exam arrives.
Once the previous process is finished, look for SMOWL CM in your application panel and run it. An information window should appear indicating that the tool is running correctly.
Important Note on Use:
The Computer Monitoring system is activated automatically when you start the monitored activity on your virtual campus. It does not permanently record your activity, but only during the time your exam lasts. Keep in mind that all computer activity during that period will be reported to your institution.
5. Performing a Trial Assessment
For your peace of mind, we strongly recommend taking a trial exam if your institution has enabled one. This will allow you to familiarize yourself with the environment and ensure that your camera, audio, and monitoring system work without problems.
Ask your faculty or technical support if a "Mock Exam" is available. Performing it in advance guarantees that you will not have technical unforeseen events in your real exam.
6. Automatic Software Update
Starting with version 5.0, SMOWL CM includes an auto-update system. This means you will no longer have to worry about manually searching for new versions.
Every time you access an exam, the system will check if an update is available. If there is one, it will be downloaded and installed automatically before allowing you access to the test.
Once the process is finished, the tool will restart on its own, and you can continue normally.
7. Troubleshooting Antivirus Problems
Sometimes, some security programs can interfere with the installation or update process of SMOWL CM. If you receive an error message or the program does not open, your antivirus is likely blocking the application by mistake.
To solve this, you must add SMOWL CM to the list of "exceptions" or "exclusions" in your antivirus. Below, we detail how to do this in the most common solutions:
Avast
1. Open Avast and go to “Menu” (upper right corner).
2. Select “Settings”.
3. In the menu on the left, go to “Protection” and select “Main Shields”.
4. Scroll down until you find “Exclusions”.
5. Click “Add file” or “Add folder”.
6. Locate the update.exe file or folder containing SMOWL CM and select it.
7. Save the changes
You can learn more about how to exclude SMOWL CM in Avast by clicking on the following link:
Windows defender
1. Open Windows Settings (Windows key + I).
2. Go to “Privacy and Security” → “Windows Security” → “Virus and Threat Protection”.
3. In the “Antivirus and threat protection settings” section, click “Manage settings”.
4. Find the “Exclusions” section and click “Add or remove exclusions”
5. Click “Add an exclusion” and select File or Folder.
6. Locate the SMOWL CM file or folder and add it.
Norton antivirus
1. Open Norton and go to “Settings”.
2. Select “Antivirus” → “Scanning and risks”.
3. Find the “Items to exclude from scanning” section and click “Configure”.
4. Click “Add folders” or “Add files” as needed.
5. Locate update.exe or the SMOWL CM folder and add it.
6. Save the changes.
You can learn more about how to exclude SMOWL CM in Avast by clicking on the following link:
Mcafee
1. Open McAfee and go to “Settings” → “Real-Time Scanning”.
2. Click “Exclusions” or “Add exclusions”.
3. Select the option to add a file or folder.
4. Locate the update.exe file or SMOWL CM folder and add it.
5. Save the changes.
Bitdefender
1. Open Bitdefender and go to “Protection”.
2. Select “Antivirus Settings”.
3. Find the “Exclusions” section and click “Manage exclusions”.
4. Click “Add exclusion” and select the type (file or folder).
5. Locate the SMOWL CM file or folder and add it.
6. Enable the option to exclude it from both on-access and scanning analysis.
8. Commitment to Your Privacy and Integrity
At Smowltech, we work to create a trusted environment. SMOWL CM only monitors the activity necessary to validate your identity and compliance with the evaluation rules. Transparency is key for us; therefore, you will always know when the system is active through the application's visual indicators.
Remember that we are here to guide you step by step to ensure everything is quick and easy. Your academic success is our main objective.
Do you have more questions?
Consult our related articles or contact our support team through the chat. You can open it by clicking on the blue owl located in the bottom right corner of this page.