Desktop proctoring for AI interviews (Windows and Mac)

Simplehire Proctor is a desktop app for Windows and Mac that adds computer-level checks to a Simplehire screening interview. Before the interview starts, the candidate closes risky applications, such as remote-desktop tools, and re-checks. During the interview, desktop checks run in the background and record high-severity findings without interrupting. The app does not capture screen content, keystrokes, files, URLs or audio, and it's available for supported Windows and Mac interviews.

Why check the desktop as well as the browser?

Every Simplehire screen already runs browser checks: enforced full-screen mode, restricted or flagged copy, cut and paste, blocked or flagged shortcuts, and monitoring of tab switches, window changes and focus loss. Those cover what happens around the interview tab. They can't see other software running on the same computer.

Remote-desktop software is the clearest example of why that matters, and it appears in both of the FBI's 2025 warnings about remote IT worker fraud. The bureau's July 2025 advisory describes facilitators "enabling remote desktop connections to U.S. company laptops," and its January 2025 advisory recommends "limiting privileges for installing remote desktop applications." Those warnings are about company laptops after hire. The same kind of tool on an interview computer could let someone else follow the interview or operate the machine.

What does the candidate do?

1. The candidate uses Simplehire Proctor on a supported Windows or Mac computer.
2. Before the interview, Proctor checks for risky applications. If one is open, such as a remote-desktop tool, the candidate closes it.
3. The candidate re-checks before the interview starts.
4. During the interview, desktop checks run in the background. They don't pause or interrupt the conversation, and high-severity findings are recorded for the report.

Tell candidates in the invite that the interview uses a desktop app for Windows and Mac and that they'll be asked to close certain applications first. Someone on a work laptop with remote-support software installed by their employer's IT team will want to know that before the day.

What does the recruiter see?

High-severity desktop findings appear in the screening report next to the browser events, each with a timestamp and a severity level. You read them in the same place as the verdict, Strengths and Areas to probe.

A person reviews every finding before it affects a decision. A finding is a fact about the computer during the interview, and it can have an ordinary explanation. Ask the candidate about it before you draw a conclusion, and write down what they said.

What does Simplehire Proctor not capture?

Candidates often ask what a desktop app can see. Simplehire Proctor's checks cover supported system facts on the computer, such as the risky applications candidates are asked to close before the interview. They do not capture:

• screen content
• keystrokes
• files
• URLs
• audio

Interview audio is recorded as part of every Simplehire screen, through the interview itself. The desktop app doesn't capture audio. You're welcome to paste the list above into your candidate invite; it is accurate as of October 2026.

What are the limits?

• It's for supported Windows and Mac interviews. The browser checks run on every screen whatever the operating system, but the desktop checks don't.
• It looks at supported system facts, not the room. A second phone, printed notes or a person beside the candidate are outside what a desktop check can see. Second-device proctoring adds a side view of the desk for those.
• We don't claim it identifies hardware such as the keyboard-video-mouse (KVM) switches described in the Justice Department's June 2025 announcement.
• It doesn't judge answers or AI use. It records findings about the computer and leaves the judgement to a person. Our piece on AI cheating in interviews explains why we stop there.
• It adds a step. Some candidates won't have a supported Windows or Mac computer, and some won't want to run an app. Decide up front how you'll handle that, and treat every candidate on the req the same way.

When should you use desktop proctoring?

Use it where someone working the candidate's computer from somewhere else would do the most damage:

• remote IT contract roles, especially where the client will give the contractor system access (our IT staffing guide covers the full setup)
• Advanced screens with the optional coding round, where outside help on the computer would distort the result most
• candidates whose earlier screen raised alerts you couldn't explain

For high-volume first screens, the browser checks on every tier are usually enough. The ID check covers a different question, whether the person matches a government ID, and we'd use both on remote roles.

The integrity features page compares every check, and the proctoring overview has the detail. Screens are $2, $3 or $5 depending on the tier, with 25 free Basic screens a month and no credit card. You can start free.