Security software maker AVG Technologies has not officially put itself up for sale, but apparently private equity and technology firms are eyeing the security company for potential purchase.

It is not known why companies have taken a sudden interest in AVG - the big push in security over the past few years could be reason enough, or perhaps AVG has looked out for investors/buyers, due to some internal conflict.

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Reports say AVG is in early talks with a long list of potential buyers, who see AVG's security suite, available on mobile and desktop, as a smart purchase. Anti-virus software has become more irrelevant with the updates to security on most platforms, but there are still many issues on the Web, so security is still needed.

AVG reportedly has 187 million active users, although that number could be inflated due to AVG autoloading its security suite on user's desktops without them noticing. These poor practices have become commonplace in the security world, boosting their potential users by auto-running software at launch.

The security suite is a bit behind when it comes to some of the major issues at the moment, including spying and surveillance. Reports say Avast! and AVG are looking into new services to better protect against these types of issues.

AVG reported $92.3 million in revenue in Q3 2014, with $0.56 earnings per share. The company is stable, with 1,000 workers employed at the Amsterdam based firm, but might be seeking potential investment from a larger firm.

The technology companies reportedly in the deal have not been disclosed. Microsoft has an interest in cloud security, which might lead them to make a bid, but otherwise the top five technology companies are most likely uninterested in AVG's anti-virus software.

TagsAVG, anti-virus, Security, acquisitions