What is the key to countering piracy as a non-pirate? Fitting modules to plug in the weakness of your own ship. Take for example the maller I just engaged. While normally a simple battle due to the larger turrets being unable to track fast enough for laser contact, this gem of a ship was prepared for me to exploit that weakness. A webber and a medium Nos eliminated my offence almost instantly, forcing me to pull back and wish her my best in local.
That's it. The key is to fill in your weaknesses versus fit up for a singular goal. I've always recommended spending no more than two modules for these counter tactics. In this case, a long-range maller with cruiser-class weaponry has the weakness of a close-range attack. She could have used a frigate-class laser, but the choice to destroy the attackers capacitor and speed negates the need to worry about tracking.
My thanks to Eastern Wind of Viziam for an interesting battle, and my thanks again for her do what most PvE pilots never do: Think.