Antivirus software maker McAfee reported that 6 million malicious files were sent to unsuspecting computer users during the second quarter of 2010, an increase of 50 percent from the first quarter.

McAfee says cyber criminals targeted World Cup soccer fans to entice them to open and use files on soccer topics.

“Our latest threat report depicts that malware has been on a steady incline in the first half of 2010,” said Mike Gallagher, senior vice president and chief technology officer of Global Threat Intelligence for McAfee. “It’s also obvious that cyber criminals are becoming more in tune with what the general public is passionate about from a technology perspective and using it to lure unsuspecting victims.”