The top Internet threats for 2006 will include more attacks targeting instant-messaging networks and handheld devices, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance predicted. The National Cyber Security Alliance, a central clearinghouse for security awareness and education, teamed with the Department of Homeland Security to create a list of emerging threats in the hope that more U.S. consumers will prepare themselves for attacks. The predictions, which include cautions about an oncoming wave of identity hacks against online brokerage accounts, have been prepared over the past year, according to the NCSA, with the aim of focusing attention on online protection. According to the report, there are four main emerging threats likely to grow in the coming year: hackers using instant messaging to spread viruses and worms; phishing becoming more widespread; virus attacks on cell phones and PDAs; and hackers targeting online brokerage accounts.