Malware and ransomware attacks differ primarily in their intent and functionality. Malware encompasses a wide range of malicious software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to systems. In contrast, ransomware is a specific type of malware that encrypts files or entire systems, demanding a ransom for the decryption key. While both aim to compromise system integrity, the key difference is that ransomware specifically holds data hostage for financial gain, whereas general malware may serve various malicious purposes, such as theft, espionage, or disruption of services.