Minimal DNSChanger Impact; Windows 8 in Oct.; Kindle Fire 2 Details

The DNSChanger Trojan, Windows 8, tablet rumors, and a Samsung patent victory topped tech headlines on Monday.

The DNSChanger Trojan continued to top tech headlines on Monday, but after all the chatter about the malware knocking hundreds of thousands of Web users offline, major U.S. ISPs confirmed that it was largely much ado about nothing. Internet providers like Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, and more all said they saw minimal impact from DNSChanger, the servers for which were shut down by the FBI.

For more on DNSChanger, see How to Find, Remove DNSChanger From Your Router.

In other security news, an expert thinks the end of spam could be closer than you think.

Meanwhile, Microsoft yesterday officially revealed that the highly anticipated Windows 8 operating system will be available in October, with the OS scheduled for release to manufacturing in August.

Tablets also had the tech world talking yesterday as rumors circulated that the Amazon Kindle Fire 2 will be thinner and lighter than its older sibling, and will have a built-in camera, similar to its Google rival, the Nexus 7. Also, Samsung is reportedly putting together a new tablet running Microsoft’s forthcoming Windows RT operating system.

In patent news, Samsung nabbed a victory in the U.K. after the High Court ruled that the company’s Galaxy Tab tablets do not infringe on patents held by Apple. Also, Microsoft announced a patent-licensing deal with Aluratek and Coby Electronics, which will allow the firms to sell products running Android or Chrome OS.

Also making headlines on Monday:

• Monster Video Game Collection Fetches $1.2M on eBay: Is it possible there’s a tale reminiscent of The 40 Year Old Virgin behind the decision of eBay auctioneer “collectors_king” to pawn off his gargantuan collection of factory-sealed video games?
• Hands On With Android 4.0 for the Samsung Galaxy Note: Android 4.0 is a distinct update to the Galaxy Note’s earlier Android 2.3, with better handling of multitasking and access to the superior Chrome browser.
• Report: Third-Gen Ultrabooks to Get Touch Screens, 3D Displays: The third wave of ultrabooks coming out next year will feature touch-screen capabilities, “high quality” 3D displays, and possibly a new chassis material.
• Get Paid for Sharing? The Fancy Launches Affiliate Program: Pinterest just got another punch in the gut from social discovery network competitor The Fancy.
• Samsung Tops Apple on Fortune Global 500 List: Placing below the top 50 on Fortune’s Global 500 list may not be every company’s dream, but Apple can still count this year’s No. 55 slot as an accomplishment.
• Pink Nokia Lumia 900 Heading to AT&T July 15: AT&T on Monday announced that it will exclusively sell a version of the Lumia 900 in a bright pink shade, beginning on July 15.
• Verizon Delays Samsung Galaxy S III Launch: Don’t start camping out in front of the nearest Verizon store in preparation of the Galaxy S III release just yet.
• Opportunity Rover Captures Panoramic Shot of Mars: NASA last week released a panoramic image of Mars comprised of more than 800 photos taken by the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity.
• Facebook Starts Global App Center Rollout: Facebook announced that its App Center is now live in the U.S., Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K.

By Angela Moscaritolo, PCMag