The present invention relates to preparing and processing information to be communicated via a network or to or from other data carriers. For implementation of a novel "virtual machine" of the present invention, a minimal amount of hardware is required. Prior art virtual machines tend to slow down operation of the device as they interface between an application program and device drivers. The novel virtual machine incorporates a virtual message processing means that is arranged to construct, deconstruct and compare messages and applied in the native code of the processor. The message instruction means directs and controls the message processor. Similarly, a protocol processor means governs and organs communications, under the direction of a protocol instruction means in the application. These elements of the novel virtual machine increase the speed and efficiency and allow implementation of a practical device for use in communications, able to be implemented on different hardware having different BIOS/OS.