email problems

I have been aware that I have had a virus on my system for quite some time now. I downloaded little snitch to try it out and notice that when I go to a web site my email connects. It does this on every site all the time and even when accessing my system preferences the mail connects. I have a pc also that I found a different mail account attached to my gmail account and what looked to be a second internet explorer program. I have my gmail set up to check for mail every minute and as of typing this in my mail has connected fifty or so times. This is a fresh os install too after a crash. The power went out while it was downloading updates. Could it be a tracking program somebody loaded on, or a key logger? It seems funny that it would be the same after an install of the os. Anybody familiar with these problems. Just for some info, by the way the bogus email on the pc was set up it looks as it was done by a soon to be ex-family member. I would like to get this **** off my system.

1. There are no Virus for OSX, perhaps a Trojan.

2. Did you do a clean install? if not then you didn't remove any user installed Apps.

3. Don't forget the OSX and the Mac Apps talk to the internet all the time if they can.

4. GMail is IMAP, this means its always talking to the server, look up the difference between IMAP and POP mail, if mail is open then there will be a constant stream of packets, up and down.

What do you mean by clean install? I didn't wipe the HD. I used to wipe the HD on the pc and reinstall the OS but it seemed that some of the firefox apps never got wiped off. I just thought the web site saved some info and popped it back on the system after the download. I have checked for a hidden proxy server but found none. I went to a forum and had a bunch of scanning programs ran and posted and they said there was nothing on my system. I know my system is monitored without a doubt, it was just confirmed last night. I have had web sites pop up on my screen and all kinds of other junk. Like I posted above there was a alternate email program on my pc that showed up when it was pinned as an app tab. that is NOT a normal thing to find on a system. I just want it gone! I thought a hacker passing by would chime in and enlighten me. I suppose I'll see about replacing the HD to get some privacy back. Unless somehow it's buried on the motherboard somewhere?

the number one source of Trojans!

Now I agree, if you ran those you have probably installed a Trojan.

Reformat your HD and do a clean install of everything, if you are running as an Admin account or entered your Admin password there is no other way.

Thanks, I'll do the reformat and see if it changes anything.