So, perhaps someone can answer this enigma. I set the "http_proxy" variable in /etc/environment.

Now recently it occurred that I needed to temporarily disable it so another proxy could be used. However, after running "unset http_proxy" and commenting out the line in /etc/environment and rebooting the system this variable will still be set.

If I just run "unset http_proxy" after boot it apparently disables it, but then no programs can access internet.

Google searching had yielded no answers and neither have wiki pages I've found. Anyone perhaps know whats up here?

Check the startup scripts in /etc/rc.d. It looks as if one of them is setting this variable regardless of what is in /etc/environment.

2 members found this post helpful.

If that does not show anything, check also the /etc/profile. Also any files in /etc/profile.d if it exists.

Ok, so I searched directories rc0.d-rc6.d as well as rc.conf and rc.local and found nothing in my limited understanding that would seem to be resetting this variable. I also searched profile.d and there is no /etc/profile. I even attempted to put "env -u http_proxy" in rc.local, just for laughs cause you never know, right?

I'm on the verge of concluding that a gremlin has gotten into the computer.

maybe this helps:
https://unix.stackexchange.com/quest...able-came-from

If using ubuntu, maybe this variable is stored in gui database (gsettings?), then you have to change proxy value in the Network Setting gui

Well, guys I feel pretty stupid because I found the issue. Apparently, the "export http_proxy" variable line wasn't commented out in ~/.bashrc; However, in my defense I could have sworn I did so when I first went to disable this variable so I could use the other proxy.

Thanks to all of you for your time and insight, but this may now be marked as solved.