What is the PayPal Plug-In?
A plug-in is a small module that runs in the toolbar of an Internet browser like Internet Explorer or Firefox (a version for Safari is in the works).
The free PayPal Plug-In runs from your browser toolbar to securely pay for purchases on any website with a temporary MasterCard credit card number. Online merchants treat your transaction just like any credit card transaction while the amount you spend is actually deducted from your PayPal account balance, or from your bank or credit card account, depending on how you set up PayPal.
What Do I Need to Use the PayPal Plug-In?
- A PayPal Account. If you do not have one, set up a secure PayPal account before downloading the plug in.
- Internet Explorer or Firefox, an Internet connection and the minimal system resources listed lower on this page are required to use the PayPal Plug-In.
- Download the PayPal Plug-In and follow the simple directions to install it.
Is Using Temporary Credit Card Numbers with PayPal Time Consuming?
Some credit card providers offer a way to generate temporary credit cards numbers for online shopping, but they require you to interrupt completing your online purchase by loging on at their web site. To generate a temporary credit card number with PayPal Plug-In, just click the 'P' on your browser toolbar and select Generate Secure Card. If you frequently shop at a web site, you can have the PayPal Plug-In generate a multi-use temporary MasterCard number for that site to make subsequent purchases faster.
No More Misplaced Receipts
The PayPal Plug-In provides a fast way to save and print your receipts so you always have a record of purchases. After you completing an online purchase, click the PayPal Plug-In and select Save Receipt, then name your receipt. Receipt images are saved in your online PayPal account, listed by date, receipt name and the web site you made the purchase from. The PayPal Plug-In saves any web page, so you can create a gift idea list or any other collection of web pages.
Time-Saving Address AutoFill
Use the PayPal Plug-In to save even more time with the AutoFill feature, which enters your billing and shipping information into online forms automatically when you are completing a purchase. If you do not want to use AutoFill, you can turn this option off. And, you can synchronize your electronic address book with the PayPal Plug-In to use AutoFill to send purchases to destinations other than your regular shipping address.
PayPal Plug-In Security Features
Personal information held in PayPal accounts is highly secure, and the PayPal Plug-In adds another layer of security by warning you if you are about to make a purchase from a fraudulent site. Fraudulent web sites fake the appearance of other web sites for the purpose of obtaining personal information to engage in identity theft. Using the PayPal Plug-In gives you a real-time additional layer of security.
Other PayPal Plug-In security features are your password and security image. The security image lets you know that you are logging on to the official PayPal site.
PayPal Plug-In Minimum Requirements
Your computer must have the minimum resources listed below to run the PayPal Plug-In. Your system likely exceeds these minimal requirements.
- Operating System: Windows 98, ME, 2000, NT, XP or Vista
- CPU: 133MHz or higher
- Memory: 128 MB RAM
- Internet: 56K modem' broadband recommended
- Browsers: IE 5.01 or higher and Firefox 1.5 or higher
PayPal Plug-In for Online Shopping Security and Convenience
Using PayPal for online shopping is entirely free and PayPal is very secure. The PayPal Plug-In adds to this security by letting you make online purchases without ever giving out your real credit card number and with the fraudulent web site alerts.
Multi-use temporary MasterCard numbers go a long way to speed up online shopping at frequently-used merchant web sites. Temporary credit card numbers set up for each online merchant are listed in your PayPal account along with the expiration date for multi-use cards. If you decide you want to keep using a multi-use credit card number past the expiration date, you can extend the expiration date with a couple of mouse clicks. And, having the single use MasterCard numbers listed is helpful if you need to return merchandise.
Add in the convenience of being able to save images of receipts as you complete online shopping transactions and the AutoFill options, and the PayPal Plug-In makes online shopping faster, safer and easier. Try the PayPal Plug-In for added security and speedier online shopping.
