It is designed to remove and protect against malware, including Trojans, rootkits, and ransomware. Most rootkits are classified as malware, because the payloads they are bundled with are malicious. Later versions include rootkits and ransomware. GameGuard uses rootkits to proactively prevent cheat software from running. Anti-virus software can attempt to scan for rootkits. Detecting rootkits is a major challenge for anti-virus programs. This version utilizes Symantec's Veritas VxMS technology to better identify rootkits. Operating systems are evolving to counter the threat of kernel-mode rootkits. A common strategy for rootkits to evade detection is to unlink themselves from these lists. UAC effectively blocked over 50 percent of each threat, excluding rootkits. Sony BMG initially denied that the rootkits were harmful. It also detected and eliminated all 25 tested rootkits, generating no false-positives. Rootkits have been created as Type II Hypervisors in academia as proofs of concept. Rootkits can, in theory, subvert "any" operating system activities. When dealing with firmware rootkits, removal may require hardware replacement, or specialized equipment.