What could be a main characteristic of an external insider?

The main characteristic of an external insider is indeed someone who gained access through compromised insider rights. This definition encompasses individuals who may not formally belong to an organization but have managed to exploit or steal legitimate credentials from an actual insider. They can leverage these compromised accounts to access sensitive information or systems, posing significant risks to security.

This type of threat is particularly concerning because it combines the perceived trustworthiness of insider knowledge with the malicious intent typically associated with external attacks. By using the credentials of legitimate users, external insiders can bypass many security measures that are designed to protect against unauthorized access, making them a formidable threat.

In contrast, options that imply a user with administrative access or someone who interacts with clients directly describe more traditional user's roles within an organization, rather than addressing unauthorized access through compromised credentials. The notion of a hacker operating in anonymity, while certainly a valid cybersecurity concern, pertains more to external attackers rather than those who merge external techniques with insider operations to exploit vulnerabilities.