A Master Coder was a device that could be used to circumvent many of the security measures put in place by an individual or organization, such as the Galactic Empire or the New Republic. The device was relatively easy to create, although the difficult part lied in the obtaining of a high level security code relating to the systems that wish to be circumvented. A simple reprogramming of a master chip from a control circuit would usually suffice. This device was highly illegal and usually carried a hefty penalty, such as death, if a person was caught with one.