diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/util/NetUtil.as b/src/as/com/threerings/util/NetUtil.as
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1b47fed06
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/util/NetUtil.as
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+package com.threerings.util {
+
+import flash.net.URLRequest;
+//import flash.net.navigateToURL; // function import
+
+public class NetUtil
+{
+    /**
+     * Convenience method to load a web page in the browser window without
+     * having to worry about SecurityErrors in various conditions.
+     */
+    public static function navigateToURL (
+            url :String, newWindow :Boolean = false) :void
+    {
+        var ureq :URLRequest = new URLRequest(url);
+        if (!newWindow) {
+            try {
+                flash.net.navigateToURL(ureq, "_self");
+                return;
+            } catch (err :SecurityError) {
+                // ignore; fall back to using a blank window, below...
+            }
+        }
+
+        // open in a blank window
+        try {
+            flash.net.navigateToURL(ureq);
+        } catch (err :SecurityError) {
+            Log.getLog(NetUtil).warning(
+                "Unable to navigate to URL [e=" + err + "].");
+        }
+    }
+
+
+}
+}