During the SSL handshake, when does the server send the server certificate and the public key?

The correct option indicates that the server sends the server certificate and the public key as part of the response to the Client Hello during the SSL handshake process.

In the SSL handshake, the communication begins when the client sends a Client Hello message to the server. This message outlines the SSL/TLS version, cipher suites, and a random number to initiate the session. Following the receipt of this message, the server responds with a Server Hello message, confirming the SSL/TLS version and cipher suite that will be used for this session.

After the Server Hello, the server sends its digital certificate, which contains the server's public key. This is a critical part of the handshake as it allows the client to authenticate the server and establish a secure communication channel. The public key is essential for encrypting the pre-master secret, ensuring that only the intended recipient can decrypt and utilize it in the session key generation.

It is worth noting that the server does not send its certificate during the Finished phase or before the Client Hello, as those stages come later in the process of establishing a secure connection. Therefore, the timing of when the server sends its certificate and public key, immediately after responding to the Client Hello, is fundamental to the secure exchange of information.