With Berners-Lee's "http protocol, " computer jockeys the world over began making the Net easier to use with point-and-click programs.

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At the same time, Adobe will continue to innovate and develop its HTTP streaming protocol, HTTP Dynamic Streaming (HDS), which is used by major broadcasters worldwide.

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This common method encrypts usernames and passwords, but reverts to the normal Web protocol, HTTP, for everything else.

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With added support for content using the HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) protocol for iOS devices, Adobe Access now enables premium video publishers to reach the broadest possible audience across devices with a single content protection workflow and infrastructure.

ENGADGET: Adobe announces Project Primetime video platform, Highlights available now for iPad (update: video)

Similarly, Facebook and Twitter send login credentials over a secure line and then revert to an unsecure protocol. (Users of those social networks can add an "s" after "http" to force the systems to encrypt their browsing.) Social networking sites are where people increasingly conduct private conversations, whether through Facebook's Messages or Twitter's Direct Message feature.

CNN: Why Google's data collection snafu could be good for Gmail