diff --git a/server/controllers/applicationsController.ts b/server/controllers/applicationsController.ts
index 400c26f..4778427 100644
--- a/server/controllers/applicationsController.ts
+++ b/server/controllers/applicationsController.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import { Request, Response } from 'express';
-import { CustomRequest } from '../types/customRequest';
 import { pool } from '../config/sql-db';
 
 interface StatusCount {
@@ -104,7 +103,7 @@ const createApplication = async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
   }
 };
 
-const getApplicationById = async (req: CustomRequest<{ id: string }>, res: Response) => {
+const getApplicationById = async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
   const { id } = req.params;
   try {
     const query = `
@@ -145,7 +144,7 @@ const getApplicationById = async (req: CustomRequest<{ id: string }>, res: Respo
   }
 };
 
-const updateApplication = async (req: CustomRequest<{ id: string }>, res: Response) => {
+const updateApplication = async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
   const { id } = req.params;
 
   if (!req.user) {
@@ -184,7 +183,7 @@ const updateApplication = async (req: CustomRequest<{ id: string }>, res: Respon
   }
 };
 
-const getAggregatedUserStats = async (req: CustomRequest<{ userId: string }>, res: Response) => {
+const getAggregatedUserStats = async (req: Request, res: Response) => {
   const { userId } = req.params;
   if (!req.user || req.user.id !== userId)
     return res.status(401).json({ message: 'You are not authorized to retrieve those records' });
diff --git a/server/controllers/authController.ts b/server/controllers/authController.ts
index 28df5f3..5fc5c5c 100644
--- a/server/controllers/authController.ts
+++ b/server/controllers/authController.ts
@@ -1,37 +1,9 @@
-import jwt from 'jsonwebtoken';
-import User from '../models/userModel';
-import asyncHandler from 'express-async-handler';
+import { Request, Response } from 'express';
+import { NotAuthorizedError } from '../errors';
 
-const authSession = asyncHandler(async (req, res) => {
-  let token;
-
-  if (req.cookies.token) {
-    try {
-      token = req.cookies.token;
-      const secret = process.env.JWT_SECRET as string;
-      const decoded = jwt.verify(token, secret) as jwt.JwtPayload;
-
-      if (!decoded.id) {
-        throw new Error('Invalid token - ID not found');
-      }
-
-      const user = await User.findById(decoded.id).select('-password');
-
-      if (!user) throw new Error('User not found');
-
-      res.locals.user = user;
-      res.json({ isAuthenticated: true, user: res.locals.user });
-    } catch (error) {
-      console.error(error);
-      res.status(401);
-      throw new Error('Not authorized, token failed');
-    }
-  }
-
-  if (!token) {
-    res.status(401);
-    throw new Error('Not authorized, no token');
-  }
-});
+const authSession = async (_req: Request, res: Response) => {
+  if (!res.locals.user) throw new NotAuthorizedError();
+  res.json({ isAuthenticated: true, user: res.locals.user });
+};
 
 export { authSession };
diff --git a/server/controllers/postController.ts b/server/controllers/postController.ts
index 313cc79..19d4ce6 100644
--- a/server/controllers/postController.ts
+++ b/server/controllers/postController.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import Post from '../models/postModel';
 import Thread from '../models/threadModel';
 import { Request, Response, NextFunction } from 'express';
-import { CustomRequest } from '../types/customRequest';
 
 // ENDPOINT  GET api/forums/:forumId/threads/:threadId/posts
 // PURPOSE   Retrieve all posts from a specific thread
@@ -27,7 +26,7 @@ const listPostsByThreadId = async (req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFuncti
 // ENDPOINT  POST api/forums/:forumId/threads/:threadId/posts
 // PURPOSE   Create a new post on thread
 // ACCESS    Private
-const createPost = async (req: CustomRequest, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
+const createPost = async (req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
   const { threadId } = req.params;
   const { content } = req.body;
 
@@ -60,7 +59,7 @@ const createPost = async (req: CustomRequest, res: Response, next: NextFunction)
 // ENDPOINT  PUT api/forums/:forumId/threads/:threadId/:postId
 // PURPOSE   Update an existing post
 // ACCESS    Private
-const updatePost = async (req: CustomRequest, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
+const updatePost = async (req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
   const { postId } = req.params;
   const { content } = req.body;
 
@@ -97,7 +96,7 @@ const updatePost = async (req: CustomRequest, res: Response, next: NextFunction)
 // ENDPOINT  DELETE api/forums/:forumId/threads/:threadId/:postId
 // PURPOSE   Delete an existing post
 // ACCESS    Private, Admin
-const deletePost = async (req: CustomRequest, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
+const deletePost = async (req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
   const { postId } = req.params;
 
   try {
diff --git a/server/controllers/threadController.ts b/server/controllers/threadController.ts
index 5a32ecc..68bc798 100644
--- a/server/controllers/threadController.ts
+++ b/server/controllers/threadController.ts
@@ -1,12 +1,11 @@
 import Post from '../models/postModel';
 import Thread from '../models/threadModel';
 import { Request, Response, NextFunction } from 'express';
-import { CustomRequest } from '../types/customRequest';
 
 // ENDPOINT  POST api/:forumId/threads
 // PURPOSE   Create a new thread
 // ACCESS    Private
-const createThread = async (req: CustomRequest, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
+const createThread = async (req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
   const { forumId } = req.params;
   const { title, content } = req.body;
 
@@ -36,7 +35,7 @@ const createThread = async (req: CustomRequest, res: Response, next: NextFunctio
 // ENDPOINT  GET api/threads
 // PURPOSE   Retrieve all threads
 // ACCESS    Private
-const getAllThreads = async (req: CustomRequest, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
+const getAllThreads = async (req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
   try {
     const threads = await Thread.find({}).populate('user', 'firstName lastName').exec();
     res.status(200).json(threads);
@@ -102,7 +101,7 @@ const getThreadById = async (req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction) =>
 // ENDPOINT  PUT api/forums/:forumId/threads/:threadId
 // PURPOSE   Update a specific thread
 // ACCESS    Private/Admin
-const updateThread = async (req: CustomRequest, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
+const updateThread = async (req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
   const { forumId, threadId } = req.params;
   const { title, content } = req.body;
 
@@ -135,7 +134,7 @@ const updateThread = async (req: CustomRequest, res: Response, next: NextFunctio
 // ENDPOINT  DELETE api/forums/:forumId/threads/:threadId
 // PURPOSE   Delete a specific thread
 // ACCESS    Private/Admin
-const deleteThread = async (req: CustomRequest, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
+const deleteThread = async (req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
   const { forumId, threadId } = req.params;
 
   try {
diff --git a/server/middleware/authMiddleware.ts b/server/middleware/authMiddleware.ts
index beddda8..066d581 100644
--- a/server/middleware/authMiddleware.ts
+++ b/server/middleware/authMiddleware.ts
@@ -1,38 +1,36 @@
-import jwt from 'jsonwebtoken';
+import jwt, { JwtPayload } from 'jsonwebtoken';
 import User from '../models/userModel';
-import asyncHandler from 'express-async-handler';
-import { CustomRequest } from '../types/customRequest';
-
-const protect = asyncHandler(async (req: CustomRequest, res, next) => {
-  let token;
-
-  if (req.cookies.token) {
-    try {
-      token = req.cookies.token;
-      const secret = process.env.JWT_SECRET as string;
-      const decoded = jwt.verify(token, secret) as jwt.JwtPayload;
-
-      if (!decoded.id) {
-        throw new Error('Invalid token - ID not found');
-      }
-
-      const user = await User.findById(decoded.id).select('-password');
-
-      if (!user) throw new Error('User not found');
-      req.user = { id: user._id.toString() };
-      res.locals.user = user;
-      next();
-    } catch (error) {
-      console.error(error);
-      res.status(401);
-      throw new Error('Not authorized, token failed');
-    }
+import { Request, Response, NextFunction } from 'express';
+import { NotAuthorizedError } from '../errors';
+
+interface UserPayload {
+  id: string;
+}
+
+declare module 'express-serve-static-core' {
+  interface Request {
+    user?: UserPayload;
   }
+}
+
+const protect = async (req: Request, res: Response, next: NextFunction) => {
+  const { token } = req.cookies;
+
+  if (!token) throw new NotAuthorizedError();
+
+  try {
+    const decoded = jwt.verify(token, process.env.JWT_SECRET!) as JwtPayload;
+
+    const user = await User.findById(decoded.id).select('-password');
+
+    if (!user) throw new NotAuthorizedError();
 
-  if (!token) {
-    res.status(401);
-    throw new Error('Not authorized, no token');
+    req.user = { id: user._id.toString() };
+    res.locals.user = user;
+    next();
+  } catch (error) {
+    throw new NotAuthorizedError();
   }
-});
+};
 
 export { protect };
diff --git a/server/routes/alumniRoutes.ts b/server/routes/alumniRoutes.ts
index cb12bfd..c4a3d7b 100644
--- a/server/routes/alumniRoutes.ts
+++ b/server/routes/alumniRoutes.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 import express from 'express';
-
 import { protect } from '../middleware/authMiddleware';
 import { getAllAlumniData } from '../controllers/alumniControllers';
 
 const router = express.Router();
 
-router.get('/', protect, getAllAlumniData);
+router.use(protect); /* Require Auth for ALL routes below */
+router.get('/', getAllAlumniData);
 
 export default router;
diff --git a/server/routes/applicationsRoutes.ts b/server/routes/applicationsRoutes.ts
index 32a198e..840eaf6 100644
--- a/server/routes/applicationsRoutes.ts
+++ b/server/routes/applicationsRoutes.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import express from 'express';
+import { protect } from '../middleware/authMiddleware';
 import {
   createApplication,
   getAllApplications,
@@ -9,17 +10,17 @@ import {
   updateNotificationPeriod,
   pauseNotifications,
 } from '../controllers/applicationsController';
-import { protect } from '../middleware/authMiddleware';
 
 const router = express.Router();
 
-router.get('/aggregated-user-stats/:userId', protect, getAggregatedUserStats);
-router.get('/statuses', protect, getStatuses);
-router.get('/', protect, getAllApplications);
-router.get('/:id', protect, getApplicationById);
-router.post('/', protect, createApplication);
-router.put('/:id', protect, updateApplication);
-router.put('/:id/notification-period', protect, updateNotificationPeriod);
-router.put('/:id/pause-notifications', protect, pauseNotifications);
+router.use(protect); /* Require Auth for ALL routes below */
+router.get('/aggregated-user-stats/:userId', getAggregatedUserStats);
+router.get('/statuses', getStatuses);
+router.get('/', getAllApplications);
+router.get('/:id', getApplicationById);
+router.post('/', createApplication);
+router.put('/:id', updateApplication);
+router.put('/:id/notification-period', updateNotificationPeriod);
+router.put('/:id/pause-notifications', pauseNotifications);
 
 export default router;
diff --git a/server/routes/authRoutes.ts b/server/routes/authRoutes.ts
index 6346b75..4764f38 100644
--- a/server/routes/authRoutes.ts
+++ b/server/routes/authRoutes.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 import express from 'express';
-
+import { protect } from '../middleware/authMiddleware';
 import { authSession } from '../controllers/authController';
 
 const router = express.Router();
 
+router.use(protect); /* Require Auth for ALL routes below */
 router.get('/validate-session', authSession);
 
 export default router;
diff --git a/server/routes/forumRoutes.ts b/server/routes/forumRoutes.ts
index 7638e3a..a4e0a94 100644
--- a/server/routes/forumRoutes.ts
+++ b/server/routes/forumRoutes.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import express from 'express';
 import { protect } from '../middleware/authMiddleware';
-
 import {
   addForum,
   deleteForum,
@@ -8,7 +7,6 @@ import {
   getForumById,
   updateForum,
 } from '../controllers/forumController';
-
 import {
   createThread,
   deleteThread,
@@ -17,7 +15,6 @@ import {
   updateThread,
   getAllThreads,
 } from '../controllers/threadController';
-
 import {
   listPostsByThreadId,
   createPost,
@@ -27,28 +24,30 @@ import {
 
 const router = express.Router();
 
-router.get('/threads', protect, getAllThreads);
-router.get('/threads/:threadId', protect, getThreadById);
+router.use(protect); /* Require Auth for ALL routes below */
+
+router.get('/threads', getAllThreads);
+router.get('/threads/:threadId', getThreadById);
 
 //Forum Routes
-router.post('/', protect, addForum); //TODO Protect with admin auth
-router.get('/', protect, getAllForums);
-router.get('/:forumId', protect, getForumById);
-router.put('/:forumId', protect, updateForum); //TODO Protect with admin auth
-router.delete('/:forumId', protect, deleteForum); //TODO Protect with admin auth
+router.post('/', addForum); //TODO Protect with admin auth
+router.get('/', getAllForums);
+router.get('/:forumId', getForumById);
+router.put('/:forumId', updateForum); //TODO Protect with admin auth
+router.delete('/:forumId', deleteForum); //TODO Protect with admin auth
 
 //Thread Routes
 
-router.post('/:forumId/threads', protect, createThread);
-router.get('/:forumId/threads', protect, listThreadsByForumId);
-router.get('/:forumId/threads/:threadId', protect, getThreadById);
-router.put('/:forumId/threads/:threadId', protect, updateThread);
-router.delete('/:forumId/threads/:threadId', protect, deleteThread); //TODO Protect with admin auth
+router.post('/:forumId/threads', createThread);
+router.get('/:forumId/threads', listThreadsByForumId);
+router.get('/:forumId/threads/:threadId', getThreadById);
+router.put('/:forumId/threads/:threadId', updateThread);
+router.delete('/:forumId/threads/:threadId', deleteThread); //TODO Protect with admin auth
 
 //Post Routes
-router.get('/:forumId/threads/:threadId/posts', protect, listPostsByThreadId);
-router.post('/:forumId/threads/:threadId/posts', protect, createPost);
-router.put('/:forumId/threads/:threadId/posts/:postId', protect, updatePost);
-router.delete('/:forumId/threads/:threadId/posts/:postId', protect, deletePost); //TODO Protect with admin auth
+router.get('/:forumId/threads/:threadId/posts', listPostsByThreadId);
+router.post('/:forumId/threads/:threadId/posts', createPost);
+router.put('/:forumId/threads/:threadId/posts/:postId', updatePost);
+router.delete('/:forumId/threads/:threadId/posts/:postId', deletePost); //TODO Protect with admin auth
 
 export default router;
diff --git a/server/routes/imageRoutes.ts b/server/routes/imageRoutes.ts
index 058548d..ec85cd9 100644
--- a/server/routes/imageRoutes.ts
+++ b/server/routes/imageRoutes.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import express from 'express';
-import { uploadProfilePicture, generatePresignedUrl } from '../controllers/imageController';
 import { protect } from '../middleware/authMiddleware';
+import { uploadProfilePicture, generatePresignedUrl } from '../controllers/imageController';
 
 const router = express.Router();
 
@@ -8,12 +8,8 @@ import multer from 'multer';
 const storage = multer.memoryStorage();
 const upload = multer({ storage: storage });
 
-router.post(
-  '/profile-picture/:userID',
-  protect,
-  upload.single('profilePicture'),
-  uploadProfilePicture,
-);
+router.use(protect); /* Require Auth for ALL routes below */
+router.post('/profile-picture/:userID', upload.single('profilePicture'), uploadProfilePicture);
 
 //TODO Not currently being used
 router.get('/generate-url', generatePresignedUrl);
diff --git a/server/routes/profileRoutes.ts b/server/routes/profileRoutes.ts
index e8a1244..b2979a6 100644
--- a/server/routes/profileRoutes.ts
+++ b/server/routes/profileRoutes.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import express from 'express';
 import { protect } from '../middleware/authMiddleware';
-
 import {
   createProfile,
   getAllProfiles,
@@ -10,9 +9,11 @@ import {
 
 const router = express.Router();
 
-router.post('/', protect, createProfile);
-router.put('/:userID', protect, updateProfile);
-router.get('/:userID', protect, getProfileById);
-router.get('/', protect, getAllProfiles);
+router.use(protect); /* Require Auth for ALL routes below */
+
+router.post('/', createProfile);
+router.put('/:userID', updateProfile);
+router.get('/:userID', getProfileById);
+router.get('/', getAllProfiles);
 
 export default router;
diff --git a/server/routes/userRoutes.ts b/server/routes/userRoutes.ts
index e26c09b..6f9dd4e 100644
--- a/server/routes/userRoutes.ts
+++ b/server/routes/userRoutes.ts
@@ -1,19 +1,20 @@
 import express from 'express';
+import { protect } from '../middleware/authMiddleware';
 import {
   registerUser,
   authUser,
   getUserById,
   // deleteUserByEmail,
 } from '../controllers/userController';
-import { protect } from '../middleware/authMiddleware';
 
 const router = express.Router();
 
 router.post('/login', authUser);
 router.post('/register', registerUser);
 
+router.use(protect); /* Require Auth for ALL routes below */
+router.get('/:userId', getUserById);
 //TODO Disabled until admin auth is created
-//router.delete("/:email", protect, deleteUserByEmail);
-router.get('/:userId', protect, getUserById);
+//router.delete("/:email", deleteUserByEmail);
 
 export default router;
diff --git a/server/types/customRequest.ts b/server/types/customRequest.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 84f28a3..0000000
--- a/server/types/customRequest.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-import { Request } from 'express';
-
-interface UserPayload {
-  id: string;
-}
-
-export interface CustomRequest<P = Record<string, string>> extends Request {
-  user?: UserPayload;
-  params: P;
-}