Question

Why am I seeing colored triangles in the bottom left corner, and a possible virus warning, when trying to save an image?

Answer and Explanation

Seeing colored triangles in the bottom left corner, combined with a virus warning when saving an image, is often a sign that something is interfering with your browser or system's functionality. Here's a breakdown of potential causes and how to address them:

1. Graphics Card Issues:

- The colored triangles might indicate a problem with your graphics card driver or the graphics card itself. These artifacts can appear if the driver is outdated, corrupted, or if the card is overheating or failing. Try updating your graphics drivers from the manufacturer's website (Nvidia, AMD, Intel).

2. Browser Extensions:

- Some browser extensions, particularly those dealing with image manipulation, ad blocking, or security, can sometimes cause unexpected behavior. Try disabling your browser extensions one by one to see if the problem disappears.

3. Malware or Virus:

- The virus warning is a significant concern. It's crucial to run a full system scan with a reputable antivirus program like Malwarebytes, Norton, or Bitdefender. Malware can inject code into your browser or system processes, leading to these types of warnings and visual anomalies.

4. Downloaded Image Corruption:

- It's possible that the image itself is corrupted or contains malicious code disguised as an image file. Be very careful when downloading images from untrusted sources. Consider checking the file extension and size; if anything seems off, it's best not to open or save it.

5. Browser Glitches:

- Sometimes, a simple browser restart can resolve temporary glitches. Also, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies. If that doesn't work, consider resetting your browser to its default settings.

6. Operating System Issues:

- A corrupted operating system file or a system error could also be the root cause. Running a system file checker (sfc /scannow in the Command Prompt as administrator on Windows) can help identify and repair damaged system files.

7. Security Software Interference:

- Your firewall or antivirus software may be overly aggressive, misidentifying the image or a process associated with saving it as a threat. Check your security software's logs to see if it's blocking anything related to the image saving process. Temporarily disabling the software (at your own risk) might help diagnose if it's the culprit, but always re-enable it immediately afterward.

In summary, the combination of visual artifacts and a virus warning suggests a potentially serious issue. Prioritize running a thorough antivirus scan and updating your graphics drivers. If the problem persists, investigate your browser extensions and system files. If you are still unsure consider contacting a qualified I.T. professional for assistance.

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