Malware vs Ransomware: Key Differences and Examples

Key Points

What you'll learn in this article

Learn in detail about the differences between malware and ransomware.

Ransomware often enters through phishing emails, so employee awareness, advanced email security, and multi-factor authentication are essential defenses.
Regular software updates, strong backup procedures, limited user access, and endpoint protection help reduce vulnerabilities and contain attacks.
Segmenting networks, monitoring traffic, and having a tested incident response plan create a layered, resilient defense against a ransomware.

Difference between malware and ransomware

Malware and ransomware are often used interchangeably, but there are differences. Malware is used as a general term for all sorts of malicious software - this includes ransomware, but also viruses, hence viruses and ransomware are types of malware. Additionally, some ransomware can also be viruses.

What is malware?

Malware describes any type of malicious software.

What are some common types of malware?

Some common types of malware include:

Trojan Horses
Virus Ransomware
Spam Bots
Spyware
Worms

What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware that demands monetary payment in exchange for restoring access to the system or data.

What are some common types of ransomware?

Some common types of ransomware include:

Crypto Ransomware
Lock Screen Ransomware
Scareware
Doxware or Leakware
Mobile Ransomware

How is a virus different from malware?

A computer virus is a type of malware that “infects” computers or systems by inserting its own code into other programs, thus corrupting them. Some types of ransomware are viruses, but not all viruses are ransomware.

How does malware spread?

A malware attack can spread in a number of ways.

One of the most common methods are phishing attacks, or fraudulent communications that closely resemble reputable sources.

Phishing attacks often target large organizations via emails that appear to come from high-level positions, such as the CEO, and often contain malicious links camouflaged as legitimate links. For example, a phishing email attack may ask employees to purchase gift cards on behalf of the CEO.

Users can also come across malicious links on websites that appear to be legitimate and harmless—for example, a malicious link could disguise itself as a software update.

Less-common ransomware attacks can be spread with brute force attacks, in which cybercriminals guess a user’s password correctly by trial-and-error, using programs that can make hundreds of guesses in a single second. Simple passwords are easier for their programs to figure out, whereas personalized, strong passwords can guard well against brute force cyberattacks.

Key differences between malware and ransomware

Feature	Malware	Ransomware
Definition and Scope	Malware is a broad category of malicious software designed to damage or exploit systems. It includes viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, and more.	Ransomware is a specific type of malware that encrypts or locks data, holding it hostage until a ransom is paid.
Purpose	To damage, steal, or exploit data or systems for malicious purposes.	To extort money from victims by restricting access to data or systems and demanding payment for restoration.
Distribution Methods	Can spread via infected software, malicious websites, or exploiting system vulnerabilities.	Primarily spread through phishing emails, malicious attachments, or malicious URLs that trick users into executing the attack.
Revenue Generation	Cyber criminals can generate revenue through data theft, fraud, or system exploitation.	Ransomware generates revenue by demanding payments, often in cryptocurrency, to restore access to encrypted files or systems.
Recovery	Typically involves removing the malware, restoring data from backups, and securing systems.	Recovery usually involves paying the ransom (not recommended) or restoring data from backups, assuming backups exist and are unaffected.

How can I prevent ransomware attacks?

The best way to try to prevent ransomware attacks is to have the right cybersecurity services and protocols in place, although it’s important to note that preventing ransomware doesn’t lie with a single solution, entity, or idea. Organizations must fight back together, using every tool at our disposal, from technology and partnerships to intelligence sharing and policy, to stand strong against a determined set of adversaries and create a long-term approach to mitigating ransomware risk.

Mimecast allows you to manage your data safely and efficiently while also involving and empowering everyone in your organization with the right strategies to help prevent ransomware attacks.

With tools that automatically detect, filter, and quarantine suspicious threats, your first line of cyber defense is automated.

With security awareness training, everyone in your organization can be aware of how to detect and respond to cyber threats.

Cloud-based storage systems are making it harder for cybercriminals to access your data while making it easier for your organization to access, manage, and backup your information.

See how Mimecast can help protect your organization by getting a customized plan and quote.

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What is the difference between malware and ransomware?

Malware is a general term for all sorts of malicious software, including viruses, worms, Trojans and spyware. Ransomware is a specific type of malware that encrypts or locks data and demands monetary payment in exchange for restoring access.

How does malware spread?

One of the most common methods is phishing attacks, or fraudulent communications that closely resemble reputable sources and often contain malicious links camouflaged as legitimate ones. Malware can also spread through malicious links on websites that appear legitimate and, less commonly, through brute force attacks that guess a user's password by trial and error.

How can you prevent ransomware attacks?

The best way is to have the right cybersecurity services and protocols in place, since preventing ransomware does not lie with a single solution. Mimecast combines tools that automatically detect, filter and quarantine suspicious threats with security awareness training and cloud-based storage that makes it harder for cybercriminals to access your data.