Symantec close to Verisign security unit buy-source

NEW YORK May 18 (Reuters) - Security software company Symantec Corp (SYMC.O) is near to buying Verisign Inc's (VRSN.O) security unit for around $1.3 billion, a source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

Verisign Inc recently approached some companies to see if they wanted to buy its security business, which helps online merchants encrypt payment card data, a person with knowledge of the matter earlier told Reuters.

News that Symantec is close to a deal was earlier reported by the Wall Street Journal. (Reporting by Megan Davies; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)