Comcast’s Jordan Rosenwald joined the latest ESPC call Wednesday, May 28, 2008. As the Anti-Spam Platform Manager at Comcast, Jordan addressed many topics from the hosted panel including: reputation tools, Comcast’s feedback loop, sender reputation, and specific delivery challenges.
Jordan’s introduction included a brief statement about Comcast’s take on what is considered SPAM in their eyes, stating,”We only want to deliver desired messages to the members that requested it.”
With regard to how reputation is monitored, here are some of the key points that are reviewed on a per IP basis: proper RDNS, SPF records, RBLs, Cloudmark content filtering, and Spamhaus.
Comcast’s feedback loop is now out of beta, and you can find the application at http://feedback.comcast.net. Jordan mentioned that all FBL data is fed back into Cloudmark and ReturnPath to integrate filtering metrics.
Applications to the FBL are evaluated on an IPs Sender Score score as follows:
1. IP score >60 = automatic approval
2. IP score between 30-60 requires additional decision criteria and takes approx. 5 days
3. IP score <30 = automatic denial
Rate limiting is a tool Comcast is using to reduce unwanted mail, and has established metrics around how much mail should be accepted from an IP at any given time based on the IPs Sender Score score, and a few other undisclosed throttles. Comcast’s published FAQ provides additional info on this process, as well as specifics on the limits associated with new IPs.
In addition to rate practicing rate limiting, Jordan provided Comcast’s connection setting criteria, which are 2 simultaneous connections per IP and 1000 messages per connection.
Some specific delivery challenges that were addressed included Comcast’s DNSBL which is indicated by a “–BL004” in the bounce string, and directory harvest attack bounce messages. To resolve the DNSBL concern, you should visit http://www.comcast-support.com/rbl . As for the directory harvest attack message, check your bounce logs for “521 – Not our customer”, and remove these invalid addresses from your list.
In summary, Jordan applauded the ESPCs efforts to improve their client’s mailing practices, and acknowledged the impact that it has made on Comcast’s ability to more efficiently uphold their member’s expectations. The contact phone number for Comcast’s Customer Security Assurance help desk is (888) 565-4329, and they are available 9am-11:30pm M-F (ET).
Thank you to Comcast and Jordan Rosenwald for taking the time to talk to us. Thanks to Nathan Fehler from Datran Media for sharing his notes! And thank you to the ESPC for organizing these extremely helpful events. In order to attend the calls, ask your own questions directly and get many other benefits you should consider joining the ESPC.
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