I don't like the lack of privacy of online backup services. Theoretically, your data is accessible by employees of the company and who's to say that their security is good enough to keep out hackers.
You can either encrypt before backup or (with Carbonite) manage your encryption key yourself. If you manage your own encryption key, they cannot recover it or your files if it should become lost.
For myself, I encrypt a few critical files.
I also have everything divided between encrypted and non-encrypted areas of the disk. Photos and information PDF's, ebooks, and music are unencrypted, and I use Truecrypt to section off a part of the disks for private files like business planning ideas, tax forms, birth certificate, etc.
Truecrypt is outstanding.
I also have remote access to my home computer via the LogMeIn program while traveling, so if there's a file I need I can get to it much the same as using an online service. In fact, I keep very few documents on my laptop. I just use my phone as a broadband modem and remote into my home computer quite frequently to access whatever I need.
I would worry more about my LogMeIn credentials being compromised than Carbonite getting hacked.
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