internet sharing security

I am about to connect 2 desktop computers to share an internet connection. Now if the main pc (the one which has the wireless router connected) get infected with something, does that automatically effect my other pc (which is connected via a usb wireless adapter)? This second pc has its own security software installed i.e. antivirus/antispyware/firewall, so does these programs prevent me from any malicious things which the other pc may get infected with.

The reason i am asking all this is that the main pc is frequently used by other members of the family as well so i do not have total control on the pc, and i wish that if anything happens to that pc, my other pc does not get effected.

Thank you for any feedback.

 

Not all infections look for a network to connect to and spread. Typically this does not happen too often. However, if you've got a good firewall you should configure the one machine to exclude access from the other. It depends on how the network is set up.

I'd also turn off file sharing as well. I have my test machine isolated from my primary machine with my Norton firewall, but not all firewalls have options like this, especially if it's a free version.

 

Thank you very much for your reply.