Chinese Internet security service firm, Qihoo 360 Technology Co, said it plans to raise up to $200 million in an initial public offering in the United States.

In a filing to the New York Stock Exchange, the company, which claimed to be the third largest Internet firm in China, said it has 339 million active users in January, accounting for 85.8 percent of Chinese Internet users.

The company is known in China for providing Web security services for free.

The company has notched up a revenue of $16.9 million in 2008, $32.3 million in 2009 and $57.7 million last year. The company’s profits hit $8.5 million last year, an increase of 102.7 percent year-on-year.

The listing attempt of Qihoo came after several Chinese Internet firms – including online video company Youku.com and Internet retailer Dangdang – have listed in the US in the past few months.

“Qihoo’s listing effort is surely a boost to its business,” said Zhou Feng, an independent financial analyst in Shanghai. “The move will strengthen its financial brawn for a better position in China’s Internet security market.”

Qihoo has hired UBS Investment Bank and Citigroup as the lead underwriters of the offering.