System network proxy settings don't seem to affect all programs

[l0uismustdie]

Hello, I am required to run through a proxy server when connected from my University campus. I have changed the system wide network settings (in system preferences -> networks) but this change only seems to affect some applications. More specifically, it doesn't seem to affect: Firefox, Mail, python (via mechanize), and ssh and does seem to work for: Safari, Chrome, and Skype. Since, it works for Skype which connects over port 56158 I don't think the University has restricted only port 80 access through the proxy.

I have read a number of similar posts about Mail and proxy but doesn't seem like I could find any answers.

Thanks.

 

[l0uismustdie]

So, I've found a working solution to this problem which is bypass the proxy settings altogether and connect to the university's vpn. Hope that helps someone.

 

[Detrius]

Not all programs honor the system-wide settings. Firefox, for example, doesn't, and any command line programs almost certainly will not.