Malware vs. ransomware: what’s the difference?

Malware refers to malicious software designed to infect and damage target systems. Ransomware is a dangerous malware variant that locks down systems until victims make ransom payments. This article covers how ransomware fits within malware and key differences between them.

What is malware?

Malware or "malicious software" is a category of network security threats that spread by infecting targets. Types of malware include:

• Viruses. Replicate automatically via hosts and seek to infect as many devices as possible.
• Trojan horses. Delivered via files that appear harmless but harbor malicious software agents.
• Cryptojacking. Malware agents infect devices and mine cryptocurrencies. This consumes resources and leads to device slowdowns.
• Worms. Similar to viruses, worms spread between systems without needing host files.
• Spyware. These types of malware infect target systems and collect information about the victim's online activity.
• Keyloggers. Collect information about keys pressed by victims, allowing attackers to harvest login credentials and financial codes.
• Adware. Delivers unwanted pop-up ads to victims. Adware often operates in conjunction with spyware to target ads.
• Rootkits. Target protected areas of computers and networks. They infect operating systems and boot sectors, often putting systems out of action.

All types of malware are unwelcome and can have many damaging consequences. Companies affected by malware often experience:

• Data breaches. Keyloggers and spyware reside in the background. They gather credentials, allowing criminals to access user accounts and obtain confidential data.
• System failure. Malware increases resource consumption, causing systems to crash. Some agents cause direct damage to boot sectors and apps, making them unusable.
• Ransom payments. As we will see in a moment, malware also results in direct payments to criminals.

Not all malicious code counts as malware. Criminals can also inject malicious code via website scripts or software updates. Malware refers to standalone agents with specific roles, whether that involves surveillance or mining crypto coins.

What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts target systems and demands ransom payments. Users must pay attackers within a given timeframe. If they fail to pay, attackers may extract and sell confidential data, or refuse to unlock targeted systems.

Types of ransomware attacks include:

• Crypto ransomware. Encrypts files until victims make crypto payments.
• Scareware. Does not encrypt files but demands ransoms via intimidating language.
• Doxware. Encrypts files and threatens to leak personal information.
• Locker ransomware. Locks users out of their devices entirely.

A ransomware attack often follows phishing emails. For example, threat actors write phishing emails, posing as cybersecurity experts. These fake experts gain access by mentioning phony threats. After gaining access, they lock systems to protect against cyber attacks. This paves the way for ransomware attacks.

Victims may regain access to devices following payments. However, stats suggest that 47% of companies fail to recover all locked data despite making payments. 78% of organizations also suffer follow-up ransomware attacks.

Ransomware is a popular attack type and is becoming more common due to the rise of ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS). Companies must implement measures to protect against ransomware before encryption happens.

Differences between malware and ransomware

The main malware vs. ransomware difference is that malware is a general category of cyber threats. Ransomware is one of the most damaging forms of malware. Beyond that overarching distinction, differences between malware and ransomware include:

• Delivery methods. Ransomware is usually delivered via phishing emails and attachments. Malware delivery methods are more diverse. They include USB sticks, malicious websites, links, and infected files.
• Presence. Ransomware always announces itself. Attackers want victims to know they are infected and must take urgent action to restore access. Other malware types conceal themselves and operate in the background.
• Removal. Ransomware is hard to remove. Attackers use strong encryption that victims cannot break without access to the encryption key. You can remove many other types of malware via standard threat detection tools.
• Consequences. Ransomware can cripple companies, due to both payments and data breaches. Many types of malware are less damaging (although all inflict some harm on their targets).
• Diversity. There are relatively few ransomware varieties. All seek to lock systems and extract ransoms. Malware comes in many forms, making access to comprehensive threat databases essential.

How to protect against malware and ransomware

Malicious software imposes devastating costs on global businesses. In 2023, businesses paid over $1 billion in ransom to cyber criminals, and the average data breach cost stands at $4.88 million. Given those figures, protecting yourself against malware and ransomware is essential.

The list below details basic measures to prevent malware attacks and cut the risk of ransomware incidents:

• Educate staff to identify phishing emails. Phishing is a primary vector for ransomware attacks. Employees must know how to identify a malicious link or phony sender address. Prevent downloads of unsolicited attachments and put in place verification processes to assess emails from unknown contacts.
• Implement network segmentation. Segmentation protects networks by limiting lateral movement inside the network. Limit user access to resources needed to carry out business roles. That way, attackers controlling a compromised user account have limited access to data or applications.
• Update software frequently. Malware often leverages code exploits to access networks. Prevent these attacks by patching operating systems and applications when new versions are available.
• Scan all downloaded files. Use threat detection software to scan all files for worms, ransomware agents, and Trojan horses. Choose cybersecurity tools that draw on regularly updated threat intelligence. This ensures protection against the latest ransomware and malware threats.
• Make regular data backups. Ransomware and malware are critical threats to data integrity and availability. Protect sensitive data by making daily backups. Store backups in a secure location that is not connected to your primary network. This allows system restoration if ransomware attacks happen.
• Use an enterprise-grade VPN. Virtual Private Networks encrypt user connections, making it harder for criminals to access network endpoints.
• Investigate advanced deception tools. Companies concerned about ransomware exposure can also use deception tools to deceive and divert potential attackers. These tools mimic legitimate network assets, giving security teams more time to detect malicious activity.

The measures above contribute to a robust anti-malware and ransomware protection plan. Stay vigilant, assess risks, and create incident response plans to ensure rapid action. Ransomware and malware are constant threats, and attackers will leverage any security gaps.