Yubikey USB-C Touch Extender

At work, we use a Yubico security key to log in to the network. When you log in, you need to touch the key to verify you are physically there.

The USB-C model is great on my laptop... the top-mounted touch sensor is just the right height for easy contact. But I've plugged mine into my nice mechanical keyboard, which is thicker and makes it hard to touch the capacitive touch sensor. The USB-A security key has the touch sensor in back which is perfect. I had hoped I could find a USB-C with a similarly-positioned sensor, but sadly there doesn't seem to be one.

So, here's a small piece that allows me to securely mount a piece of foil to the key. The foil makes contact with the sensors on the top and bottom, but allows me to touch the key on the back, perfect for my keyboard.

I cut a small hole in the foil to make the touch LED visible. It doesn't affect the operation.

This is similar to the key I have:

https://www.amazon.com/Yubico-YubiKey-Factor-Authentication-Security/dp/B07HBTBJ5S

Print Settings

Rafts:

No

Supports:

No

Filament: Any PLA

Notes:

A level height of 0.10mm works well.

Fit the foil over the back, smooth it out, and squeeze-fit the holder over the foil. Peel away any excess foil... if it touches the metal part of the USB-C plug nothing is damaged, but it grounds the foil so the touch sensor won't detect anything.

I used an exact knife to cut a hole in the foil to see the LED, but I think gently poking with a pin would work as well and leave a neater hole.

Category: Computer