Webroot Software has just published its State of Spyware report for the second quarter of 2006. The report reveals some interesting findings from the company's review of consumer and enterprise PCs. Here are some highlights:

* Eighty-nine percent of consumer PCs analyzed contained spyware, up significantly from 72% in the fourth quarter of last year.

* Thirty-one percent of consumer PCs were infected with Trojan horses, up from 24% in the fourth quarter of 2005.

* The penetration of system monitors (e.g., keystroke loggers) was 6% during the second quarter, up slightly from the fourth quarter of 2005, but down significantly from the 21% discovered during the fourth quarter of 2004.

* Webroot has discovered more than 527,000 Web sites that potentially contain threats, including spyware, adware, system monitors and other malware.

What this points out is the critical need for both business and consumers to get their house in order when it comes to managing the growing threat caused by spyware. Not to do so can result in a variety of problems, ranging from relatively minor problems like a slower computer to major security breaches and financial losses. Webroot's report discusses the fact that more than 40 companies experienced security breaches during the second quarter. The report also discusses the thankfully rare experience of an individual who had $90,000 withdrawn from his bank account after an attack from a Trojan horse.

So what do you do? As a consumer, there are a variety of tools that can be used to clean a computer of spyware offered by a variety of firms, including Webroot, Sunbelt Software and Microsoft. As an enterprise, you can install antispyware and Web security systems, using on-premise software and servers, appliances, or you can use managed services from companies including ScanSafe.

Whatever you do, you need to take positive steps toward protecting your network from these threats.

Michael Osterman is principal analyst of Osterman Research.