A universal serial bus (USB) protection circuit. The circuit includes a V+ line, a ground line, a D+ line, a D− line, a first resettable device, a second resettable device, a windowing comparator, a first switch, and a second switch. The V+ line is configured to be connected to a V+ connection of a USB cable. The ground line is configured to be connected to a ground connection of the USB cable. The D+ line is configured to be connected to a D+ connection of the USB cable. The D− line is configured to be connected to a D− connection of the USB cable. The first resettable device is coupled to the V+ line and links the V+ line to a V+ of a local device. The second resettable device is coupled to the ground line and links the ground line to a common node of the local device. The windowing comparator has a negative input coupled to the common node and a positive input coupled to the ground line. The first switch is coupled between the D+ line and a D+ of the local device, and is driven by an output of the comparator. The second switch is coupled between the D− line and a D− of the local device, and is driven by the output of the comparator.