Universal tags linked to the content of a data file are sporadically/periodically generated for protecting the authenticity of the data file and/or the owner/creator of a digital file. New universal tags are generated by altering one or more keys/seeds used to generate the universal tag. Once a current universal key is generated, the current universal tag is registered on a distributed ledger of at least on distributed trust computing network, thus superseding the registration of a last-in-time/previous universal tag to thereby become the effective validation means for (i) an authenticity of the data file, and/or (ii) the user associated with the data file (e.g., rightful possessor and/or creator of the digital file).