In our increasingly digital world, cyber threats keep becoming more of a problem for businesses and individuals. According to Cybercrime Magazine, damages from cybercrime are expected to reach $9.5 trillion for the year by the end of 2024.
Almost all businesses operate online in some way, and all of these are at some degree of risk. It’s crucial that you take the right steps to protect your organization.
Standard data security tips can help, but knowledge is the key. Malware and ransomware are two of the most prevalent threats, so it’s important to understand both of them.
In this malware vs ransomware guide, we’ll explore the difference between these two major threats. Let’s dive in.
1. Purpose
When someone launches a malware attack, the purpose is usually to steal data or cause some sort of disruption. It can spread through a network and can sometimes result in huge amounts of data being stolen.
A ransomware attack is often done for monetary gain. The attacker will steal data, and only offer it back in return for a ransom from the victim.
2. Delivery Method
Malware has been around for years, and many people have been exposed to it. There are several different ways in which cybercriminals might deliver malware, such as:
- Emails
- Links
- App installations
- Malicious websites
- USB
Due to the many delivery methods, it’s important for users to always be cautious of anything they don’t understand.
Ransomware typically comes from malicious attachments or links in phishing emails. If a user clicks one of these, it will install the ransomware. They’ll usually be disguised so that they look like genuine emails.
3. Ease of Removal
While malware can do a lot of damage, it’s often not too difficult to remove after it’s detected. Any quality antivirus program should be able to remove a malware infection.
A ransomware attack can be worse as it’s much harder to remove. Among cybersecurity basics is ensuring you always back up data and systems.
With a backup, you’ll be able to restore everything after a ransomware attack. If you don’t have a backup, you’ll only be able to get your data back by paying the ransom that the attacker is asking for.
4. Variety
Malware is a fairly broad term. There are various types of malicious software that fall under this umbrella. Some of the most common include:
- Trojan horses
- Adware
- Spyware
- Rootkits
- Keyloggers
These work in different ways and can all be problematic.
Ransomware is more limited. There are only two key types:
- Crypto
- Locker
5. Impact
While malware isn’t ideal, it’s usually not too devastating. It can control data and resources and often reduces system performance. In most cases, it won’t do enough damage to destroy a business.
Ransomware can have a very severe impact that lasts a long time. Many businesses have completely shut down after falling victim to a ransomware attack.
Malware vs Ransomware: Effective Protection
It’s clear from this malware vs ransomware guide that while these two cyber threats vary, you want to avoid both of them.
Pegasus Technologies can provide ransomware and malware protection to all kinds of enterprises. We use match-IT methodology to ensure we provide our clients with personalized service to meet the needs of different organizations. Take a look at our security solutions page for more information.
