Q: Every time that I startup my computer, a process called “mslagent” tries to connect to the Internet. I see the “ms” in the name and assume it’s from Microsoft, but I really don’t know what this process does. Is it safe to let it run, or should I completely stop it from loading?

A: One of the big problems with these processes is that they’re so confusing. Just for fun, scan through your list of active processes by doing the three-finger salute: Ctrl-Alt-Del. You are sure to find a bunch of stuff there that will endlessly confuse you. Some of the names sound really important, but they could be fooling you. For example, a process involved with spyware or a virus could use a name that includes a word such as “system” to make you think that it’s vital for the computer. When your curiosity gets the best of you, don’t be afraid to inquire about what these processes are actually doing.

This page clearly states that the “mslagent” process is an advertising program, and therefore, you shouldn’t allow it to run. Your best bet is to use a program like Spybot-S&D or Ad-Aware to scan and remove any baddies that you may have residing on your computer. To learn more about questionable processes on your own, just head on over to ProcessLibrary and search for what you’re interested in. They’ll tell you if you should be concerned or not.

Have a question or subject that you would like to see covered? Drop Brandon a line and maybe he can include it in a future edition of the Gnewbie Gnook! Also, don’t forget our forums (or, if you’re a Latin freak, fora) where Gnomies from all around the world congregate to help, be helped, and discuss issues that may or may not have anything to do with technology!