POSTing to the internet from a plugin... How do you do it?

I have an idea for a plugin but it requires running a HTML POST on a website then getting feedback. While I have no problem doing that in java, the problem arises when servers running from paid server racks attempt to try and do it. Port 80 is blocked on most large gaming servers and so my POSTs are blocked. But plenty of other plugins must do this or a variation in order to check for updates, update a database ect... So how is it done? Thanks!

 

Bump

 

Well, in my experience, I have never seen port 80 be blocked. And, in a lot of cases, you can just unblock that port via SSH, which is provided from many providers.

 

Clanforge definitely blocks port 80 and I bet where there's one there's more.