CompTIA Linux+ Powered by LPI (LX0-104) — Question 20

What is a purpose of an SSH host key?

Answer options

• A. It must be sent by any SSH client in addition to a user key in order to identify the client's host.
• B. It provides the server's identity information to connecting SSH clients.
• C. It is the root key by which all user SSH keys must be signed.
• D. It authenticates any user that logs into a remote machine from the key's host.
• E. It is used by system services like cron, syslog or a backup job to automatically connect to remote hosts.

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The correct answer is B because the SSH host key is essential for verifying the identity of the server to the client, ensuring secure connections. Option A is incorrect as the client does not send the host key; instead, it receives the server's host key. Option C is wrong because the host key is not a root key for signing user keys. Option D misrepresents the role of the host key since it does not authenticate users but instead authenticates the server. Option E is also inaccurate as the host key is not used by system services for automatic connections.