a voice messaging system allowing the monitoring of telephone calls is provided . the system permits subscribers to monitor incoming calls handled by voice messaging systems , and to selectively listen to the message as it is recorded , ignore the message , or establish two - way audio communications with the caller . the system further provides these monitoring capabilities to the subscriber at any location having access to a computer network that is interconnected to the message server , for example the internet . the present invention is particularly well - suited for use with telephones that are part of private branch exchanges , telephones subscribing to central voice messaging systems , and telephones whose lines are used for the transmission of computer data in addition to voice communications .