What is the Difference Between Ransomware and Data Wipers?

The report contrasts ransomware (extortion-focused malware that retains keys to coerce victims) with data wipers (destructive malware that discards keys to make recovery impossible), outlines typical cryptographic approaches and propagation behaviors, lists representative families (e.g., Ryuk, Conti, REvil, Shamoon, ZeroCleare), and emphasizes the need for robust defenses and rapid technical assessment to distinguish intent and guide response.