Big companies and wealthy individuals normally don't discuss the threats they receive, preferring to keep their security concerns private.

But hundreds of companies and prominent citizens have sent just such information to the federal government, some detailing their biggest security worries. The reported dangers range from chilling to seemingly trivial: al Qaeda terrorists; animal-rights extremists; deranged stalkers; depressed gamblers; gas-price malcontents and aggressive autograph-seekers.

...