Ransomware vs. Sextortion: What Are They and How They Differ?

In 2025, cybersecurity is more relevant than ever. New threats arise, online blackmailers get more and more deceiving, and they often rely on lifelike AI-generated content to help them achieve their ill-behaved objectives. That is why people need to stay alert and safeguard their online presence to get rid of scams as soon as they appear. In the following article, we compare two of the most commonly misinterpreted cyberbullying schemes: ransomware and sextortion.

Ransomware vs. Sextortion – Key Takeaways

No time to keep on reading? No worries! We know how busy people are these days, nevertheless, everyone should take care of their cyber security. That is why we decided to create a comparison table summarizing the main differences between sextortion and ransomware. Here we go:

Feature	Ransomware	Sextortion
Attack Method	Malware applications encrypt files, while the criminal demands ransom for decryption.	Blackmailer intimidates the victim to share private content publically, demanding ransom.
Main Targets	Corporations, establishments, individuals.	Essentially individuals.
Key Goal	Monetary gain based on data ransom.	Monetary gain or individual control over the victim.
Usual Delivery Method	Phishing scams, malicious software, online presence vulnerabilities.	Social engineering, hacking, fake relations on social media platforms.
Targeted Data	Business files, personal documentation, whole databases.	Sensitive images, videos, private chats with family and friends.
Victim Exploitation	Files are stolen and blocked unless the victim pays a ransom.	Criminals threaten victims with potentially exposing private content.
Ransom Demands	Usually cryptocurrencies.	Direct bank wires, PayPal transfers, cryptocurrencies.
Security Measures	Consistent data backups, security software updates, staff training in cyber security.	Robust passwords and privacy settings, encrypted chats, consciousness of phishing cons.
Legal Repercussions	Considered a criminal offense.	Considered blackmail or harassment.

What Is Ransomware

Among the greatest dangers related to human presence online, ransomware can be highlighted as one of the most notorious crimes. According to computer forensics, this type of scam affects both individuals and companies around the world. Cybercriminals use a special kind of virus, which is able to render files on a victim’s device, such as a computer or smartphone. This software encrypts these files to make them unreadable. The final act of ransomware is bullying the victim into paying a ransom, usually in cryptocurrency, to receive a decryption key.

Ransomware can be spread with the use of phishing URLs, malicious email attachments, infected apps, and unpatched system liabilities. Once the victim runs a virus file, this software encrypts crucial data and can showcase a money-demanding ransom letter on the screen. Furthermore, criminals often refer to ongoing threats, intimidating their targets with permanent file deletion if the ransom is not paid within a certain window of time.

Image Illustrating a Laptop Locked by Ransomware

In February 2025, the United States federal authorities (CISA & Partners) issued a warning on Ghost ransomware. This kind of cyber-attack has been widespread in over 70 countries worldwide. In this scheme, cyberbullies rely on targeting and compromising companies with out-of-date versions of software and firmware on their Internet-based services.

Popular Forms of Ransomware

There are multiple kinds of ransomware that blackmailers utilize when targeting organizations or individuals online. Each type is based on a different assault strategy and another schematic approach. Learn the difference between the most common types of ransomware:

Locker Ransomware: Instead of encrypting single files, hackers use locker ransomware to block their target’s access to the whole device.
Crypto Ransomware: A popular screen-locker kind of ransomware, which encrypts all or selected files, and then requires a ransom for the encryption key.
Double Extortion Ransomware: In this cyberattack blackmailers not only encrypt but also steal files from victims, getting extra leverage in collecting ransom payments.
Leakware: This software threatens victims of ransomware with widespread online distribution of personal and sensitive files stolen from a device.
RaaS (Ransomware as a Service): In this scheme, malware is installed by non-technical individuals who acquire ransomware software from professional hackers.

In 2024 alone, data theft drove 94% of cyberattacks worldwide, making ransomware a serious threat to millions of Internet users. Understanding the main differences between the most common forms of ransomware allows us to take the proper preventive measures.

Ransomware Precaution Tips

Follow these rules to avoid ransomware attacks in the future:

Practice blameless IT hygiene, both online and offline.
Improve your security when browsing the Internet.
Refrain from clicking suspicious links and attachments.
Backup data offline using encrypted hard drives.
Restrict access to cloud infrastructure.
Develop an incident response strategy for ransomware occurrences.
Contact ransomware helplines for extra help whenever necessary.

However, when you use your computer or mobile devices—whether professionally or privately—always stay cautious and watchful. Hackers never sleep, so you must take preventive actions to not fall victim to their malicious acts.

What Is Sextortion

Using this cyberbullying tactic, blackmailers threaten their victims with exposure to sensitive materials. These often include compromising photos and videos, which might or might not be legit. Cybercriminals then demand ransom money as payment for stopping the attack and not releasing the sensitive content, or taking it down if already posted online.

Sextortion is becoming more widespread as new technologies become more sophisticated. This scheme can be aided by modern AI-generated deepfakes, which might potentially look very lifelike. On March 3, 2025, First Lady Melania Trump used her first public comments since Donald Trump’s inauguration to call for fighting non-consensual sexual images. In August 2024 there was already a Senate-passed bill introduced that criminalizes spreading “non-consensual, sexually exploitative images, including AI-generated deepfakes”.

Such activities might put an end to sextortion, but cybercriminals are always likely to find new ways to target their victims and demand ransoms.

How Sextortionists Operate

Blackmailers who use sextortion can scam people into believing they possess some compromising materials. They often claim they have access to webcams, allowing them to see the target engaging in sensitive activities. In other cases, they will actually be able to steal or acquire private content, and here is how they do it:

Hacking: Obtaining private media is possible with compromising devices, cloud storage services, or social media accounts.
Catfishing: A practice in which criminals impersonate attractive individuals online to fool victims into sharing explicit material.
Social Engineering: Using scam messages on social media and through messaging apps to coerce victims into disclosing private and intimate content.
Spyware: Installing malicious software on one’s computer or smartphone allows cybercriminals to steal content without the victim’s knowledge.
Hidden Cameras: Putting concealed cameras in place requires the physical presence of the criminal, making this method a bit old-fashioned in the modern world.

Over the last few years online sextortion has become a growing concern not just among adults, as teenagers are also frequently targeted. Knowing how to defend yourself from sextortionists is the key to your safe online presence.

How to Respond to Sextortion Online

Reduce the risk of being sextorted on the Internet, by understanding how to respond, if you are already targeted by cybercriminals:

Never Pay: Refuse to pay any ransoms because this can only encourage the blackmailer to continue their wickedness.
Never Respond: Do not reply to any messages sent by cybercriminals so as not to expose yourself further.
Save Evidence: Gather all proof of what is going on, including saving screenshots of all communications.
Report Sextortion Online: Use in-app reporting tools to inform the platform of any misconduct you face.
Seek Professional Help: Get expert assistance from a sextortion helpline; professional cybersecurity agents will guide you through the reporting process.

Furthermore, we encourage every Internet user to avoid sharing too much private information or explicit materials on the web. Using the Internet with caution, as well as strengthening your privacy settings, will limit unwanted access to your sensitive data.

Legal and Ethical Implications of Ransomware and Sextortion

Sextortion and ransomware are both illegal and subject to harsh punishments in various jurisdictions. Governments around the world are still implementing new cybersecurity legislation to stop these kinds of crimes from spreading. Ransomware is often tried under cybercrime rules, while sextortion can be covered by regulations referring to harassment, blackmail, and privacy violations.

Both the FBI and INTERPOL actively look into sextortion networks and ransomware criminals. Therefore, reporting these types of crimes is always a good idea, as it increases one’s safety and chances of bringing the bully to justice.

Both cybercrimes demonstrate the excessive need for stronger digital responsibility on an ethical level. Internet users must behave safely online, but in the meantime, businesses should also take care of consumer data protection. Cybersecurity threats pose great hazards, which can be reduced, as long as all parties utilize knowledge and a systematic approach.

Ransomware vs. Sextortion: Conclusion

While sextortion and ransomware are both types of cyber extortion, each of them uses a different approach to threaten and intimidate victims. Sextortion relies heavily on utilizing psychological manipulation techniques, which as a result takes advantage of social weaknesses and personal anxieties. On the other hand, ransomware is a technological attack aiming to encrypt files or data. Both attacks call for different responsive and preventive measures as either of them has the same main goal: to coerce victims into paying money.

Whenever you use the Internet, you should always be on the lookout for privacy and data-safeguarding methods. Individuals and businesses must work together to stop cybercrime from spreading. Start implementing the best IT hygiene practices now, and do not hesitate to get professional help when you face online blackmail.