Ewan Lamont
Level 1 (125 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Why can't I use PayPal with Safari?

I have to open Chrome to use PayPal. This has gone on for a few days now.

MacBook, OS X Mavericks (10.9), Safari 7.0

Posted on Nov 27, 2013 1:21 AM

by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer
Linc Davis Linc Davis
Level 10 (208,037 points)
Applications
A:
Launch the Keychain Access application in any of the following ways:

☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)

☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.

☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Keychain Access in the icon grid.

  
In the keychain list, an item named "System" should be listed. If it isn't, select
 
File ▹ Add Keychain
  
from the menu bar and add the following item:
/Library/Keychains/System.keychain
  
Now search in Keychain Access for the term "verisign" (without the quotes.) Look carefully at the list of certificates in the right side of the window. There should be exactly 11 of them — no more, no less. If any of them has a a blue-and-white plus sign or a red "X" in the icon, double-click it. An inspection window will open. Click the disclosure triangle labeled Trust to disclose the trust settings for the certificate. From the menu at the top, select
  
When using this certificate: Use System Defaults
  
Close the inspection window. You'll be prompted for your administrator password to update the settings. Revert all the certificates with non-default trust settings.

Posted on Nov 29, 2013 9:53 AM

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Ewan Lamont

Q: Why can't I use PayPal with Safari?

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  • by Carolyn Samit,Helpful

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Nov 27, 2013 4:16 AM in response to Ewan Lamont
    Level 10 (124,577 points)
    Apple Music
    Nov 27, 2013 4:16 AM in response to Ewan Lamont

    From your Safari menu bar click Safari > Reset Safari

     

    Select:  Clear History / Remove all website data / Clear the Downloads list

     

    Click Reset. Quit and relaunch Safari to test.

     

    If that didn't help, open a Finder window. From the Finder menu bar click Go > Go to Folder

     

    Type or copy paste the following:

     

    ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari/Cache.db

     

    Click Go then move the Cache.db file to the Trash.

     

    Quit and relaunch Safari to test.

     

     

    If that didn't help, try troubleshooting extensions and third party plug-ins.

     

    From the Safari menu bar click Safari > Preferences then select the Extensions tab. Turn that OFF, quit and relaunch Safari to test. If that helped, turn one extension on then quit and relaunch Safari to test until you find the incompatible extension then click uninstall.

     

    If it's not an extensions issue, try troubleshooting third party plug-ins.

     

    Back to Safari > Preferences. This time select the Security tab. Deselect:  Allow all other plug-ins. Quit and relaunch Safari to test.

     

    If that made a difference, instructions for troubleshooting plugins here.

  • by Ewan Lamont,

    Ewan Lamont Ewan Lamont Nov 27, 2013 9:34 AM in response to Carolyn Samit
    Level 1 (125 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 27, 2013 9:34 AM in response to Carolyn Samit

    I should have said that the message I get is that Safari is unable to establish a secure connection with PayPal.

    I don't think I can be bothered with all the testing when I can just use Chrome but I am impressed by your knowledge and grateful for your time taken to assist me. Others, more patient, might be able to follow the instructions. I want Apple to fix this.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Nov 27, 2013 9:53 AM in response to Ewan Lamont
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Nov 27, 2013 9:53 AM in response to Ewan Lamont

    Apple is never going to fix it. If anyone is going to fix it, you are.

     

    From the Safari menu bar, select

       

    Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Privacy ▹ Remove All Website Data

     

    and confirm. Test.

  • by Ewan Lamont,

    Ewan Lamont Ewan Lamont Nov 28, 2013 8:50 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (125 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 28, 2013 8:50 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Thanks for the advice but it didn't work. PayPal is more important to me than Safari so I will use a product that  enables me to access that website.

  • by Linc Davis,Helpful

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Nov 28, 2013 9:01 AM in response to Ewan Lamont
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Nov 28, 2013 9:01 AM in response to Ewan Lamont

    I access PayPal with Safari, and so do perhaps several million other people, but if you don't want to make the effort to solve the problem, that's OK. It will almost certainly never be solved by a future update from Apple.

  • by Ewan Lamont,

    Ewan Lamont Ewan Lamont Nov 28, 2013 1:27 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (125 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 28, 2013 1:27 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Thanks Linc. So it seems to be my computer  that has something misconfigured. I'll try the second of Carolyn Smit's suggestions, daunting though it looks.

  • by Ewan Lamont,

    Ewan Lamont Ewan Lamont Nov 28, 2013 1:34 PM in response to Ewan Lamont
    Level 1 (125 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 28, 2013 1:34 PM in response to Ewan Lamont

    Trashing the Cache.db file didn't work but I learnt a couple of things:-

    How to open a new Finder Window

    To use the Go To command.

     

    I'm a slow learner; I've had Macs for thirteen years.

     

    I am still getting a message that Safari can't establish a secure connection to PayPal.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Nov 28, 2013 5:43 PM in response to Ewan Lamont
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Nov 28, 2013 5:43 PM in response to Ewan Lamont

    Please read this whole message before doing anything.

     

    This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

     

    Step 1

     

    The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.

     

    Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”

     

    While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.

     

    Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?

     

    After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.

     

    *Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.

     

    Step 2

     

    The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of certain system caches.

     

    Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. Note: If FileVault is enabled on some models, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

     

    Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models.  The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.

     

    The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

     

    Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

     

    After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of steps 1 and 2.

  • by Ewan Lamont,

    Ewan Lamont Ewan Lamont Nov 29, 2013 6:08 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (125 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 29, 2013 6:08 AM in response to Linc Davis

    I logged in as a guest and the PayPal log-in screen appeared whereas on this account it is greyed out with the error message. As I had forgotten my password I couldn't log in. If I have time, I'll try your other suggestions.

  • by Ewan Lamont,

    Ewan Lamont Ewan Lamont Nov 29, 2013 6:37 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (125 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 29, 2013 6:37 AM in response to Linc Davis

    What is quite strange is that PayPal's new mobile payment gadget is supposed to work with iPhones and iPads.

    Another thread advises trashing com.apple.Safari.plist but I can't find it.

  • by Ewan Lamont,

    Ewan Lamont Ewan Lamont Nov 29, 2013 8:56 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (125 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 29, 2013 8:56 AM in response to Linc Davis

    I couldn't establish a safe connection on PayPal either logging in as a Guest or starting up in Safe mode. I was thinking of getting a PayPal payment device and an iPad or iPhone to work with it but will postpone that.

  • by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Nov 29, 2013 9:53 AM in response to Ewan Lamont
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Nov 29, 2013 9:53 AM in response to Ewan Lamont
    Launch the Keychain Access application in any of the following ways:

    ☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)

    ☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.

    ☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Keychain Access in the icon grid.

      
    In the keychain list, an item named "System" should be listed. If it isn't, select
     
    File ▹ Add Keychain
      
    from the menu bar and add the following item:
    /Library/Keychains/System.keychain
      
    Now search in Keychain Access for the term "verisign" (without the quotes.) Look carefully at the list of certificates in the right side of the window. There should be exactly 11 of them — no more, no less. If any of them has a a blue-and-white plus sign or a red "X" in the icon, double-click it. An inspection window will open. Click the disclosure triangle labeled Trust to disclose the trust settings for the certificate. From the menu at the top, select
      
    When using this certificate: Use System Defaults
      
    Close the inspection window. You'll be prompted for your administrator password to update the settings. Revert all the certificates with non-default trust settings.

  • by Ewan Lamont,

    Ewan Lamont Ewan Lamont Nov 29, 2013 1:21 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (125 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 29, 2013 1:21 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Thanks for all the trouble you are taking over this glitch. This has solved the problem.  There were only eight Verisign certificates in that folder. Two had blue crosses and I reverted them. Is there any danger in not having eleven? Is it a change introduced with Mavericks?

     

    Message was edited by: Ewan Lamont

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Nov 29, 2013 1:45 PM in response to Ewan Lamont
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Nov 29, 2013 1:45 PM in response to Ewan Lamont

    Please post a screenshot that shows what you mean. Be careful not to include any private information.

    Start a reply to this message. Click the camera icon in the toolbar of the editing window and select the image file to upload it. You can also include text in the reply.

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