Advantages
Online backup is an evolution of the manual backups you had to do regularly. It is software driven and the files are automatically stored somewhere – beyond the reach of fires, burglary or floods. Online backups free you from the steps you had to do manually like change CDs or format tape drives.

If your data is confidential, the software can encrypt the data for you using standard, well known algorithms such as Blowfish or AES.

The size of the backup is often reduced by monitoring only the parts of the files that changed. It is not necessary to send the entire file to the backup server, just the difference between the older and the newer version.

Disadvantages
Of course there are disadvantages to online backups. Since data has to travel on the internet, restoring your files can be slow. If backup volume is large, it may become necessary to transfer the backup on DVDs and ship it to your computer’s location. If the backup provider is out of business, then your data might be lost forever. Another limitation of online backup is that your internet subscription might cap your downloads thus large volume backups might be impossible.

The biggest advantage offered by online backup is that it is largely automatic and is a totally hands process. It can be done at night so that your normal work flow is not interrupted. Online backups make it possible to do regular, even daily backup of your data, something that we hated way back when backups used to be performed manually.

HP Upline

Easy to use and not so pricey, this is an online backup service that allows you to do a number of other things like local media backups and file sharing.  There are some important features that have been left out such as version sharing, open-file backups, and resume features.  That being said, the service has a nice interface and up to 3 computers can be connected to one account.

SOS Online Backup

This online backup service is probably the best to date.  It’s powerful and easy to use and the best thing about it is that you don’t need technical know-how to be able to backup your files.  But you can also get really technical as there are features that will allow you to expand your own options.  Check this service out when you are looking for a powerful solution for backing up your system.  It’s a bit on the pricey side but it may be worth it.

IDrive

This online backup service is actually a little confusing to use to begin with.  Over time as you get used to it, you will start to notice that it has some nice features such as fast upload times and extra items that you will not see on other online backup services.  It’s got a drag and drop feature, search features and phone support.  But the problem is the interface is not friendly or intuitive at all and you may not get support if you are a Mac user.

Online backup services may be just the thing that will save you from losing files and losing face at work.  Make sure that you have access to some kind of cloud service for all of your contacts, calendars, and essential emails so that you never have to worry about losing a file ever again.