Developing a reliable exploit requires reverse engineering. Developers must recoup the man-hours spent finding vulnerabilities. Consequently, tools for newer devices (e.g., the latest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy) command the highest prices.

Usually costs around $20 - $25 . This is ideal for beginners or those who only have a few devices to fix.

"When a tool is stable, the developer gets lazy," says a moderator of a popular reverse-engineering forum (who asked to remain anonymous due to "legal heat"). "We price based on how many weeks it will work before the vendor patches it."

This is the enterprise tier. Think technicians repairing school-issued iPads, car tuners disabling a vehicle's ECU governor, or unlocking a WiFi-password-locked HP laptop.

The price of free? Your identity.

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