What are the software requirements?
Designed to be integrated with your operating system and Internet browser, Private Payment automatically issues you the virtual credit card numbers when you're shopping online. As such, there are certain software requirements that must be met in order to use the system.
- Operating System Requirements
First, the Private Payments software is designed for use with Windows 95, 98 and 98SE, as well as with Windows NT 4.x with SP3 or higher. Unfortunately, the software isn't yet compatible with Windows 2000.American Express customer service informed me that they don't have an official release date on the software update for Windows 2000, but hope to have it completed sometime around the first of the year.
- Browser Requirements
Second, you must also be running Netscape Navigator 4.x and up or Internet Explorer 4.x and up. There's an optional "drag and drop" feature that requires Internet Explorer 5.x.However, if you're using AOL or some other browser, or if you're using Windows 2000 or a Mac, there is an alternative method of getting Private Payments numbers. With this method, you'll need to manually access the Private Payments Web site each time you need a new number. (I'll explain how to do so later.)
