Is PayPal safe?

I've been hearing a lot about PayPal as a way to make online payments, but I'm still a bit hesitant to use it. I'm wondering, is PayPal really safe? I've heard about cases of fraud and identity theft, and I don't want to be a victim. Can you tell me more about the security measures PayPal has in place to protect its users? Are there any specific steps I can take to ensure my account is secure? I'd appreciate any insight you can provide.