Proxies changing...why?,,how?

[Steve Hope]

Recently I had a problem (Mac failing to get to websites) . Setting Proxies helped...but. For some inexplicable reason, every once in a while ( four times in as many weeks, or less.) I find when I go to System Preferences>Network>Advanced> Proxies, I see the box "SOCKS" is checked !! I did not do that. I uncheck and leave non-checked or check to top box and all is well for a short period of time, a week or so. In the lower box this is displayed: *.local, 169.254/16 is in the proxy box..
Any thoughts on why this "SOCKS" box suddenly becomes checked and my Mac will not get to any website? ( Not opening a website is my clue something is wrong and it is. ) Thanks all.