Where the risk usually comes from
The unsafe part is rarely the redirect itself, it is the tool. Browser extensions that read every page you visit, pasted scripts and pop-up-laden 'bypass' sites are where data leaks and malware sneak in.
A safe resolver never needs that level of access. If a tool asks to install something or run code in your browser, treat it with caution.
Why a server-side resolver is safer
Link Skipper resolves links on the server. It opens the short link in an isolated environment, follows the redirect the shortener already defines and returns only the final address.
Nothing runs in your browser, no extension reads your pages, and the destination is exactly what you would have reached by clicking through. The result is the same link, minus the ads.
What to check before trusting one
Prefer tools that work without installing anything, that don't ask for card details up front, and that clearly only return the destination link. Avoid anything that wants browser permissions or pushes downloads.
When in doubt, a resolver that runs server-side and simply shows you the final URL is the lowest-risk option.