I get 3-5 calls per week from people who have lost data due to hard drive crash, spilled soda,...well, you know. Some of these people had the "flash drive backup system" going, but, low and behold, they didn't back up today's critical Excel file, or their software indicated a good backup when it was doing nothing, their dog chewed it up, they 'just forgot', etc.
Now, I almost never hear from my customers with Carbonite, Mozy, Backblaze, etc. Why? Because it works. It doesn't forget, and it fails FAR LESS than traditional backup software does when used by most computer users. Most computer users need this done for them automatically, in addition to their local backup regimen.
It's common sense; just routine for me and other 'computer guys', but most people are not interested in putting this much thought and effort into their computer. Yes, perhaps this is sad, but it is a fact.
That is the chief reason I recommend automated, off-site backups to my customers. Then there is the risk of theft, fire, earthquake damage, power spikes/drops, and on, and on. As well, some of the features that online backup services provide, such as file syncing across computers and handheld devices, file/photo sharing, local backup built-in, Carbonite's new full-system local backups, the ability to setup user permissions, etc., provide additional reasons/benefits.
Finally, you can do this for very little money. Backblaze and Carbonite will store unlimited data for under $60 per year.
It's not perfect, and it's not for everyone, but I think it's a good idea for most computer users.
My $0.02.
