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I’ve carried a USB-A Yubikey in my pocket for 7 years and it’s never broke. I also keep one time login passwords encrypted and available in the cloud in the eve

I’ve carried a USB-A Yubikey in my pocket for 7 years and it’s never broke. I also keep one time login passwords encrypted and available in the cloud in the event I lose the key.

lxgr 4y ago
I've had one USB-C key break on me in the past, and my replacement is already showing signs of wear. Fortunately it's not my only way to get back into my accounts if it breaks. My (sample size 2) theory is that USB-C isn't the best connector for a security key, since it intentionally moves the wear-prone part (i.e. the dust-collecting and mechanical spring involving side) from the port to the cable. USB-A is completely solid state, and most security keys use the "flat" variant of the plug that further reduces the chance of mechanical damage and/or collecting dust.
- fullstop 4y ago
  You can buy dust covers for USB-C male connectors.
  - lxgr 4y ago
    Sure, but that doesn't help against the springs mechanically wearing out, or mechanical damage bending the hollow part of the USB-C connector. Looking at all of my USB-C keys, most of them get visibly bent inwards after a couple of years of carrying them in a pocket on a keychain with other keys. It's hard to imagine a USB-A key breaking in the same way. The only thing that could conceivably break it is the PCB itself snapping, or possibly static electricity (but I don't know how much better USB-C keys would fare in that regard). So given that I can buy 2-3 A-to-C adapters for the price difference between a USB-A and a USB-C key, why take the additional risk?
    - fullstop 4y ago
      Yes, I have both an A and a C in use. If I could keep an A-to-C adapter on my keychain that would be a good option as well. Type A is more durable, for sure.
- vladvasiliu 4y ago
  For a security key, sure, it's better for that side of the USB port to be more resistant. But on the PC side, my old HP laptop used to have extremely tight USB A ports. I'd have to pull ridiculously hard on cables to disconnect them. Now the ports are fairly loose, to the point that my external drive sometimes disconnects... The yubikey kinda dances around in that port. Luckily, I don't move the laptop too much, so the key tends to stay put, but it sometimes does lose contact out when I need to touch it often.
- hot_gril 4y ago
  Flat USB-A security keys are nice. But I've yet to subject mine to the bus test.

I’ve carried a USB-A Yubikey in my pocket for 7 years and it’s never broke. I also keep one time login passwords encrypted and available in the cloud in the event I lose the key.

lxgr 4y ago

I've had one USB-C key break on me in the past, and my replacement is already showing signs of wear. Fortunately it's not my only way to get back into my accounts if it breaks. My (sample size 2) theory is that USB-C isn't the best connector for a security key, since it intentionally moves the wear-prone part (i.e. the dust-collecting and mechanical spring involving side) from the port to the cable. USB-A is completely solid state, and most security keys use the "flat" variant of the plug that further reduces the chance of mechanical damage and/or collecting dust.

fullstop 4y ago
You can buy dust covers for USB-C male connectors.
- lxgr 4y ago
  Sure, but that doesn't help against the springs mechanically wearing out, or mechanical damage bending the hollow part of the USB-C connector. Looking at all of my USB-C keys, most of them get visibly bent inwards after a couple of years of carrying them in a pocket on a keychain with other keys. It's hard to imagine a USB-A key breaking in the same way. The only thing that could conceivably break it is the PCB itself snapping, or possibly static electricity (but I don't know how much better USB-C keys would fare in that regard). So given that I can buy 2-3 A-to-C adapters for the price difference between a USB-A and a USB-C key, why take the additional risk?
  - fullstop 4y ago
    Yes, I have both an A and a C in use. If I could keep an A-to-C adapter on my keychain that would be a good option as well. Type A is more durable, for sure.
vladvasiliu 4y ago
For a security key, sure, it's better for that side of the USB port to be more resistant. But on the PC side, my old HP laptop used to have extremely tight USB A ports. I'd have to pull ridiculously hard on cables to disconnect them. Now the ports are fairly loose, to the point that my external drive sometimes disconnects... The yubikey kinda dances around in that port. Luckily, I don't move the laptop too much, so the key tends to stay put, but it sometimes does lose contact out when I need to touch it often.
hot_gril 4y ago
Flat USB-A security keys are nice. But I've yet to subject mine to the bus test.