Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to digitize an incoming telephone message, optionally compress the audio file to make the file smaller, optionally encrypt the file to make it secure, send the audio file as an electronic mail attachment with optional caller ID information to identify the caller, receive the electronic mail on a remote computer, and finally de-compress, de-encrypt and play the attached audio file through a sound card on the remote computer. A permanent electronic record of the voice mail is now available on the user's remote computer.