I'll have to look in to how to verify for myself if a new wallet is safe. I assume you get them from github.
I haven't taken the time yet to see what one would look like, if the wallets have code that is readable, or if it's all in machine code and you need a tool to convert it to readable form to look for anything malicious.
The most you will get from Github thats right but there are also some other sites where you can get it!
Here are maybe something that helps you for it :
Guide and advice for new Users before you Download anything from the Forum !There are also a site called Virustotal for checking things :
https://www.virustotal.comAt least now I know to be more aware of security and not just go willy nilly with installing new wallets.
Regardless, I would definitely use a VM and make sure the network won't be compromised.
Thats for sure a very good thing to use a VM when you install a Wallet