Blocked from wireless, but Windows Update still works

My apartment area has a wireless internet service called Airimba that
you can pay for, but I don't use it. It's set up so that you can
connect to it freely, but if you try to browse the internet the Airimba
website loads in place of any website URL you type in; and of course
any other programs that try to access the internet just don't do
anything. However, while I was connected to the Airimba service (having
not paid, so I wasn't using the net) Windows Update connected and
downloaded some updates! And it turned out I could also open the
Windows Update website with a web browser, but no other websites. Is
there a logical explanation for this? Is Windows Update somehow getting
around Airimba's security? (I wouldn't think they would just allow
Windows Update and nothing else...)

come to think of it, I just said myself that the website for windows
update does work, so it would seem like they just allow that and no
other... but that's just strange...

"joe" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
> My apartment area has a wireless internet service called Airimba that
> you can pay for, but I don't use it. It's set up so that you can
> connect to it freely, but if you try to browse the internet the Airimba
> website loads in place of any website URL you type in; and of course
> any other programs that try to access the internet just don't do
> anything. However, while I was connected to the Airimba service (having
> not paid, so I wasn't using the net) Windows Update connected and
> downloaded some updates! And it turned out I could also open the
> Windows Update website with a web browser, but no other websites. Is
> there a logical explanation for this? Is Windows Update somehow getting
> around Airimba's security? (I wouldn't think they would just allow
> Windows Update and nothing else...)

-->It's called "captured portal" or "portal".
It snarfs any webpage you enter and redirects to a message page until you
authenticate/login.
All other protocols and ports are usually blocked as well. It's up to
whomever set the system up.
The system I have at my place, I allow exceptions such as windowsupdate,
nai.com, adaware.com ( spyware checker ) and symantec.com stuff as well.

Far be it from me to stop someone who wants to patch their system.........
;-)

Scotty