A technique provides user authentication. The technique involves generating a pointer data profile entry in a pointer data profile database, the pointer data profile entry having a pointer data profile which is based on first pointer data obtained during a first user session. Such pointer data can be collected from a standard pointing device such as an electronic mouse, a touch-based track pad, a trackball, a scroll wheel, etc. The technique further involves receiving new pointer data during a second user session, and performing an authentication operation based on (i) the pointer data profile entry in the pointer data profile database and (ii) the new pointer data to determine whether a user providing the first pointer data during the first user session and a user providing the new pointer data during the second user session is the same person.