One of the world's largest cyber-security firms Symantec has reportedly reached an agreement to acquire the anti-theft company LifeLock for somewhere in the neighborhood of US$2.4 Billion/AU$3.28 Billion.  A formal announcement is expected as early as Monday in America.

LifeLock advertises itself as a provider of a range of identity-theft protection services for consumers and small businesses, including credit monitoring and alerts.  Shares of the company have risen 45 percent this year to US$20.75.  That makes its market value around US$1.95 Billion.  It had been working with Goldmann Sachs on finding the ideal suitor.  Symantec is the winner in field that included four major private equity firms. 

Such a purchase would be in line with Mountain View, California-based Symantec's recent moves to bolster its cyber-security cred and operations.  So far this year, it has sold its data storage unit Veritas to the Carlyle Group LP for US$7.4 billion, and purchased the networking and security company Blue Coat from Bain Capital in a US$4.65 billion deal.