???? Question is this: does E-link do anything wierd with their configs that would be attributed to this -- or is this just the last vestages of the myriad infestations?
Could be.

You may want to consider backup data and killing the current OS and do a re-install.
You may never know what baddies lurk.

I have not known Earthlink to do use any strange proxy settings.
I have many remote users on Earthlink and have not seen it.
If you suspect Earthlink, you can simply setup a dialup profile and skip installing the
Earthlink software.

Good Luck