Java or Flash interface to DLL's

The only browser that supports ActiveX is IE I have a web application that uses an activex (ocx) user interface and that then communicates with several DLL's in the users PC. I need to be able to run on other browseerrs as well such as Opera Firefox and so on. I am looking for someone to create a new user interface for me to replace my current activex interface. This interface requires a reasonable amount of logic that much be conversted from VB to whatever sort of language that will run in most browsers. So the question is ; what is the best language to use that can be "compiled" and protected and can run in most browsers. Java, Flash, xxx ? i) the language used must allow for normal logic that is used in VB ii) the language must be safely executable and protected from prying eyes ( compiled and signed ) iii) the language must be able to call and interact with normal DDL's Stage 1 $50 a small UI demo app that interactis with the user and interacts with a couple of test DLL's Stage 2 $xx full build of the UI Please only respond if you have a very high standard of experience and quality of coding. thanks