bambboop,
Sounds like the same craziness I've had going on for a few weeks. Have done almost all that you have. Had to switch to IE to function -- ugh -- but at least I could function until ActiveX quit functioning in IE. Have scanned memory, cleaned up all of the many registry errors, some of which included IE and Firefox Flash Player and Shockwave (which I'd already uninstalled and reinstalled). Many of them were from software removal.
Have done deep and regular scans via Norton Internet Securiy all along. Not happy. I notice Adobe has pushed down a number of patches recently but I haven't read up on them yet. Hope we get some satisfaction. ~EP