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Security Operations · Intermediate

Wiper Malware

Destructive malware designed to permanently erase or corrupt data and systems rather than extort payment.

Definition

Wipers overwrite files, master boot records or partitions to render systems unrecoverable. Some masquerade as ransomware but provide no decryption mechanism. They are frequently used by nation-state actors in geopolitical conflicts.

Example

NotPetya and HermeticWiper destroyed data on Ukrainian and global systems.

Exam tip

If data cannot be recovered even by paying, the malware is a wiper, not true ransomware.

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