What is up with the "low risk" drops and deliveries? I get ambushed by massive amounts of ships on the way, at the drop, and when I try to deliver. These are tougher than the average and high risk runs. Some are basically suicide missions that you can't get through till you run around and collect enough cash for a tougher ship and better weapons. What the hell did they base their "risk" on?!

You must take speed, hook the package while still flying away, and the ambush will spawn only when you grab the package in the ship. When you deliver it, try to use speed too.
If you have too slow ship, yes tou'll have to fight the ambush instead of hailing them goodby.

Early on, delivery missions might seem safe, but even 'low' danger still has a pretty good chance of being ambushed at the delivery site. As the game progresses, this becomes more like 100% chance.

The ambush uses concentric rings of fighters, EMP mines, and capital ships w leech missiles. The best way to get through early on is to just put the pedal to the metal and go straight for the docking bay at the station, using booster and deflector liberally. Later, when you have a stronger ship, you can try and fight your way through... but the payment remains the same whether you just dock at the station or fight.

If you have a fast, nimble ship, dead drop missions are easy cash, as once you pick up the package and get away at the drop-off point, you are home free. Once again the payout is the same regardless of running or fighting, so it is more time-efficient to just run.