Git error: “Host Key Verification Failed” when connecting to remote repository

Question

I am trying to connect to a remote Git repository that resides on my web server and clone it to my machine.

I am using the following format for my command:

Answer 1

Reason seems to be that the public key of the remote host is not stored or different from the stored one. (Be aware of security issues, see Greg Bacon's answer for details.)

I was used to git clone prompting me in this case:

The authenticity of host 'host.net (10.0.0.42)' can't be established.
ECDSA key fingerprint is 00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00.
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)?

Not sure, why this error is thrown instead. Could be the configuration of your shell or the git SSH command.
Anyhow, you can get the same prompt by running ssh user@host.net.