You can get a virus if you share software. Shareware thrives on people who share software. Bulletin boards carry a lot of shareware. Therefore people assume they account for a large number of infections. Experts label their assumptions as fact .
Retail stores tell it to customers .
Software stores make money from retail software. Many companies need to control incoming software so they can standardize on specific packages and deter software piracy. In these cases, a wise supervisor will restrict the trial use of shareware without slapping a complete ban on it. People must conquer their irrational fears before they can confront the real virus threat. Ignorance thrives on hysteria, and hysteria has blamed shareware for spreading the majority of viruses.