diff --git a/.air.toml b/.air.toml
index de3b9a9..5bb1f10 100644
--- a/.air.toml
+++ b/.air.toml
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ args_bin = [
     "-domain localhost",
     "-feed tmp/cpolis.atom",
     "-firebase tmp/firebase.json",
-    "-gob tmp/cpolis.gob",
     "-img-width 256",
     "-link https://distrikt-ni-st.de",
     "-log tmp/cpolis.log",
diff --git a/cmd/backend/config.go b/cmd/backend/config.go
index 4df4c24..5fcb0f3 100644
--- a/cmd/backend/config.go
+++ b/cmd/backend/config.go
@@ -12,48 +12,48 @@ import (
 )
 
 type Config struct {
-	AESKeyFile      string
-	ArticleDir      string
-	AtomFile        string
-	ConfigFile      string
-	DBName          string
-	Description     string
-	Domain          string
-	FirebaseKey     string
-	GOBKeyFile      string
-	Link            string
-	LogFile         string
-	PDFDir          string
-	PicsDir         string
-	Port            string
-	Title           string
-	Version         string
-	WebDir          string
-	MaxBannerHeight int
-	MaxBannerWidth  int
-	MaxImgHeight    int
-	MaxImgWidth     int
+	AESKeyFile        string
+	ArticleDir        string
+	AtomFile          string
+	ConfigFile        string
+	DBName            string
+	Description       string
+	Domain            string
+	FirebaseKey       string
+	Link              string
+	LogFile           string
+	PDFDir            string
+	PicsDir           string
+	Port              string
+	Title             string
+	Version           string
+	WebDir            string
+	CookieExpiryHours int
+	MaxBannerHeight   int
+	MaxBannerWidth    int
+	MaxImgHeight      int
+	MaxImgWidth       int
 }
 
 func newConfig() *Config {
 	return &Config{
-		AESKeyFile:      "/var/www/cpolis/aes.key",
-		ArticleDir:      "/var/www/cpolis/articles",
-		AtomFile:        "/var/www/cpolis/cpolis.atom",
-		ConfigFile:      "/etc/cpolis/config.toml",
-		DBName:          "cpolis",
-		FirebaseKey:     "/var/www/cpolis/serviceAccountKey.json",
-		GOBKeyFile:      "/var/www/cpolis/gob.key",
-		LogFile:         "/var/log/cpolis.log",
-		MaxBannerHeight: 1080,
-		MaxBannerWidth:  1920,
-		MaxImgHeight:    1080,
-		MaxImgWidth:     1920,
-		PDFDir:          "/var/www/cpolis/pdfs",
-		PicsDir:         "/var/www/cpolis/pics",
-		Port:            ":8080",
-		Version:         "v0.15.0",
-		WebDir:          "/var/www/cpolis/web",
+		AESKeyFile:        "/var/www/cpolis/aes.key",
+		ArticleDir:        "/var/www/cpolis/articles",
+		AtomFile:          "/var/www/cpolis/cpolis.atom",
+		ConfigFile:        "/etc/cpolis/config.toml",
+		CookieExpiryHours: 24 * 30,
+		DBName:            "cpolis",
+		FirebaseKey:       "/var/www/cpolis/serviceAccountKey.json",
+		LogFile:           "/var/log/cpolis.log",
+		MaxBannerHeight:   1080,
+		MaxBannerWidth:    1920,
+		MaxImgHeight:      1080,
+		MaxImgWidth:       1920,
+		PDFDir:            "/var/www/cpolis/pdfs",
+		PicsDir:           "/var/www/cpolis/pics",
+		Port:              ":8080",
+		Version:           "v0.15.0",
+		WebDir:            "/var/www/cpolis/web",
 	}
 }
 
@@ -116,13 +116,13 @@ func (c *Config) handleCliArgs() error {
 	flag.StringVar(&c.Description, "desc", c.Description, "channel description")
 	flag.StringVar(&c.Domain, "domain", c.Domain, "domain name")
 	flag.StringVar(&c.FirebaseKey, "firebase", c.FirebaseKey, "Firebase service account key file")
-	flag.StringVar(&c.GOBKeyFile, "gob", c.GOBKeyFile, "gob key file")
 	flag.StringVar(&c.Link, "link", c.Link, "channel Link")
 	flag.StringVar(&c.LogFile, "log", c.LogFile, "log file")
 	flag.StringVar(&c.PDFDir, "pdfs", c.PDFDir, "pdf directory")
 	flag.StringVar(&c.PicsDir, "pics", c.PicsDir, "pictures directory")
 	flag.StringVar(&c.Title, "title", c.Title, "channel title")
 	flag.StringVar(&c.WebDir, "web", c.WebDir, "web directory")
+	flag.IntVar(&c.CookieExpiryHours, "cookie-expiry-hours", c.CookieExpiryHours, "cookies expire after this amount of hours")
 	flag.IntVar(&c.MaxBannerHeight, "banner-height", c.MaxBannerHeight, "maximum banner height")
 	flag.IntVar(&c.MaxBannerWidth, "banner-width", c.MaxBannerWidth, "maximum banner width")
 	flag.IntVar(&c.MaxImgHeight, "img-height", c.MaxImgHeight, "maximum image height")
@@ -179,6 +179,10 @@ func (c *Config) setupConfig(cliConfig *Config) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("error setting up file: %v", err)
 	}
 
+	if cliConfig.CookieExpiryHours != defaultConfig.CookieExpiryHours {
+		c.CookieExpiryHours = cliConfig.CookieExpiryHours
+	}
+
 	if cliConfig.DBName != defaultConfig.DBName {
 		c.DBName = cliConfig.DBName
 	}
@@ -203,14 +207,6 @@ func (c *Config) setupConfig(cliConfig *Config) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("error setting up file: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	if cliConfig.GOBKeyFile != defaultConfig.GOBKeyFile {
-		c.GOBKeyFile = cliConfig.GOBKeyFile
-	}
-	c.GOBKeyFile, err = mkFile(c.GOBKeyFile, 0600, 0700)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("error setting up file: %v", err)
-	}
-
 	if cliConfig.Link != defaultConfig.Link {
 		c.Link = cliConfig.Link
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/backend/sessions.go b/cmd/backend/sessions.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 4fc8f29..0000000
--- a/cmd/backend/sessions.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,63 +0,0 @@
-package backend
-
-import (
-	"crypto/rand"
-	"encoding/gob"
-	"fmt"
-	"io"
-	"os"
-
-	"github.com/gorilla/sessions"
-)
-
-type (
-	CookieStore struct{ sessions.CookieStore }
-	Session     struct{ sessions.Session }
-)
-
-func NewKey() ([]byte, error) {
-	key := make([]byte, 32)
-
-	if _, err := io.ReadFull(rand.Reader, key); err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error generating key: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	return key, nil
-}
-
-func SaveKey(key []byte, filename string) error {
-	file, err := os.Create(filename)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("error creating key file: %v", err)
-	}
-	defer file.Close()
-	file.Chmod(0600)
-
-	if err = gob.NewEncoder(file).Encode(key); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("error ecoding key: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
-
-func LoadKey(filename string) ([]byte, error) {
-	file, err := os.Open(filename)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error opening key file: %v", err)
-	}
-	defer file.Close()
-
-	key := make([]byte, 32)
-	if err = gob.NewDecoder(file).Decode(&key); err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error decoding key: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	return key, nil
-}
-
-func NewCookieStore(key []byte) *CookieStore {
-	store := sessions.NewCookieStore(key)
-	store.Options.Secure = true
-	store.Options.HttpOnly = true
-	return &CookieStore{*store}
-}
diff --git a/cmd/calls/images.go b/cmd/calls/images.go
index 9fb4d42..7dae6a4 100644
--- a/cmd/calls/images.go
+++ b/cmd/calls/images.go
@@ -9,9 +9,9 @@ import (
 	f "streifling.com/jason/cpolis/cmd/frontend"
 )
 
-func ServeImage(c *b.Config, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func ServeImage(c *b.Config, s map[string]*f.Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		if _, err := f.GetSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
+		if _, err := f.ManageSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
 			if !tokenIsVerified(w, r, c) {
 				return
 			}
diff --git a/cmd/frontend/articles.go b/cmd/frontend/articles.go
index 8bf5088..b32e835 100644
--- a/cmd/frontend/articles.go
+++ b/cmd/frontend/articles.go
@@ -45,20 +45,20 @@ type EditorHTMLData struct {
 	Contributors []*b.User
 }
 
-func WriteArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func WriteArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		session, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s)
+		session, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s)
 		if err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
-		var data *EditorHTMLData
-		if session.Values["article"] == nil {
-			data = &EditorHTMLData{Action: "submit", Article: new(b.Article), ArticleUsers: make(map[string]*ArticleUser)}
+		data := &EditorHTMLData{Action: "submit", ArticleUsers: make(map[string]*ArticleUser)}
+		if session.Article == nil {
+			data.Article = new(b.Article)
 		} else {
-			data = session.Values["article"].(*EditorHTMLData)
+			// data = session.Values["article"].(*EditorHTMLData)
+			data.Article = session.Article
 		}
 
 		users, err := db.GetAllUsers(c)
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ func WriteArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 			data.ArticleUsers[fmt.Sprint(user.LastName, user.FirstName, user.ID)] = &ArticleUser{User: user, ArticleRole: None}
 		}
 
-		creator, err := db.GetUser(c, session.Values["id"].(int64))
+		creator, err := db.GetUser(c, session.User.ID)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Println(err)
 			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
@@ -97,27 +97,20 @@ func WriteArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 	}
 }
 
-func SubmitArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func SubmitArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		session, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s)
+		session, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s)
 		if err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
-			return
-		}
-
-		session.Values["article"] = nil
-		if err = session.Save(r, w); err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
+		session.Article = nil
 
 		article := &b.Article{
 			Title:         r.PostFormValue("article-title"),
 			BannerLink:    r.PostFormValue("article-banner-url"),
 			Summary:       r.PostFormValue("article-summary"),
-			CreatorID:     session.Values["id"].(int64),
+			CreatorID:     session.User.ID,
 			Published:     false,
 			Rejected:      false,
 			IsInIssue:     r.PostFormValue("issue") == "on",
@@ -215,7 +208,7 @@ func SubmitArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 		}
 
 		data := new(struct{ Role int })
-		data.Role = session.Values["role"].(int)
+		data.Role = session.User.Role
 
 		tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(c.WebDir + "/templates/hub.html")
 		tmpl = template.Must(tmpl, err)
@@ -227,12 +220,11 @@ func SubmitArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 	}
 }
 
-func ResubmitArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func ResubmitArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		session, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s)
+		session, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s)
 		if err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -240,7 +232,7 @@ func ResubmitArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 			Title:      r.PostFormValue("article-title"),
 			BannerLink: r.PostFormValue("article-banner-url"),
 			Summary:    r.PostFormValue("article-summary"),
-			CreatorID:  session.Values["id"].(int64),
+			CreatorID:  session.User.ID,
 			IsInIssue:  r.PostFormValue("issue") == "on",
 		}
 
@@ -346,7 +338,7 @@ func ResubmitArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 		}
 
 		data := new(struct{ Role int })
-		data.Role = session.Values["role"].(int)
+		data.Role = session.User.Role
 
 		tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(c.WebDir + "/templates/hub.html")
 		tmpl = template.Must(tmpl, err)
@@ -358,11 +350,10 @@ func ResubmitArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 	}
 }
 
-func ShowUnpublishedUnrejectedAndPublishedRejectedArticles(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func ShowUnpublishedUnrejectedAndPublishedRejectedArticles(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		if _, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+		if _, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -402,12 +393,11 @@ func ShowUnpublishedUnrejectedAndPublishedRejectedArticles(c *b.Config, db *b.DB
 	}
 }
 
-func ShowRejectedArticles(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func ShowRejectedArticles(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		session, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s)
+		session, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s)
 		if err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -425,7 +415,7 @@ func ShowRejectedArticles(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerF
 
 		data.MyIDs = make(map[int64]bool)
 		for _, article := range data.RejectedArticles {
-			if article.CreatorID == session.Values["id"].(int64) {
+			if article.CreatorID == session.User.ID {
 				data.MyIDs[article.ID] = true
 			}
 		}
@@ -440,12 +430,11 @@ func ShowRejectedArticles(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerF
 	}
 }
 
-func ReviewRejectedArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func ReviewRejectedArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		session, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s)
+		session, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s)
 		if err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -513,7 +502,7 @@ func ReviewRejectedArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.Handler
 			data.ArticleUsers[fmt.Sprint(contributor.LastName, contributor.FirstName, contributor.ID)].ArticleRole = Contributor
 		}
 
-		creator, err := db.GetUser(c, session.Values["id"].(int64))
+		creator, err := db.GetUser(c, session.User.ID)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Println(err)
 			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
@@ -545,12 +534,11 @@ func ReviewRejectedArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.Handler
 	}
 }
 
-func PublishArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func PublishArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		session, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s)
+		session, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s)
 		if err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -624,7 +612,7 @@ func PublishArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 		}
 
 		data := new(struct{ Role int })
-		data.Role = session.Values["role"].(int)
+		data.Role = session.User.Role
 
 		tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(c.WebDir + "/templates/hub.html")
 		tmpl = template.Must(tmpl, err)
@@ -636,12 +624,11 @@ func PublishArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 	}
 }
 
-func RejectArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func RejectArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		session, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s)
+		session, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s)
 		if err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -659,7 +646,7 @@ func RejectArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 		}
 
 		data := new(struct{ Role int })
-		data.Role = session.Values["role"].(int)
+		data.Role = session.User.Role
 
 		tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(c.WebDir + "/templates/hub.html")
 		tmpl = template.Must(tmpl, err)
@@ -671,11 +658,10 @@ func RejectArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 	}
 }
 
-func ShowCurrentIssue(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func ShowCurrentIssue(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		if _, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+		if _, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -695,11 +681,10 @@ func ShowCurrentIssue(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc
 	}
 }
 
-func ShowPublishedArticles(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore, action string) http.HandlerFunc {
+func ShowPublishedArticles(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session, action string) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		if _, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+		if _, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -732,11 +717,10 @@ func ShowPublishedArticles(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore, action strin
 	}
 }
 
-func ReviewArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore, action, title, button string) http.HandlerFunc {
+func ReviewArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session, action, title, button string) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		if _, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+		if _, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -827,12 +811,11 @@ func ReviewArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore, action, title, butto
 	}
 }
 
-func DeleteArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func DeleteArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		session, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s)
+		session, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s)
 		if err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -868,7 +851,7 @@ func DeleteArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 		}
 
 		data := new(struct{ Role int })
-		data.Role = session.Values["role"].(int)
+		data.Role = session.User.Role
 
 		tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(c.WebDir + "/templates/hub.html")
 		tmpl = template.Must(tmpl, err)
@@ -880,12 +863,11 @@ func DeleteArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 	}
 }
 
-func AllowEditArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func AllowEditArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		session, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s)
+		session, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s)
 		if err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -962,7 +944,7 @@ func AllowEditArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc
 		}
 
 		data := new(struct{ Role int })
-		data.Role = session.Values["role"].(int)
+		data.Role = session.User.Role
 
 		tmpl := template.Must(template.ParseFiles(c.WebDir + "/templates/hub.html"))
 		if err = tmpl.ExecuteTemplate(w, "page-content", data); err != nil {
@@ -973,11 +955,10 @@ func AllowEditArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc
 	}
 }
 
-func EditArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func EditArticle(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		if _, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+		if _, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
diff --git a/cmd/frontend/homepage.go b/cmd/frontend/homepage.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d74c1ff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/frontend/homepage.go
@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+package frontend
+
+import (
+	"html/template"
+	"log"
+	"net/http"
+	"time"
+
+	b "streifling.com/jason/cpolis/cmd/backend"
+)
+
+func HomePage(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
+	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		numRows, err := db.CountEntries("users")
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Fatalln(err)
+		}
+
+		data := new(struct {
+			*UserHTMLData
+			Version string
+		})
+		data.UserHTMLData = &UserHTMLData{User: new(b.User)}
+		data.Version = c.Version
+
+		files := make([]string, 2)
+		files[0] = c.WebDir + "/templates/index.html"
+		if numRows == 0 {
+			data.Role = b.NonExistent
+			data.Title = "Erster Benutzer (Administrator)"
+			data.ButtonText = "Anlegen"
+			data.URL = "/user/add-first"
+
+			files[1] = c.WebDir + "/templates/edit-user.html"
+			tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(files...)
+			if err = template.Must(tmpl, err).Execute(w, data); err != nil {
+				log.Println(err)
+				http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+				return
+			}
+		} else {
+			cookie, err := r.Cookie("session_id")
+			if err != nil {
+				files[1] = c.WebDir + "/templates/login.html"
+				tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(files...)
+				if err = template.Must(tmpl, err).Execute(w, data); err != nil {
+					log.Println(err)
+					http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+					return
+				}
+				return
+			}
+
+			session, ok := s[cookie.Value]
+			if !ok {
+				cookie.Expires = time.Now()
+				http.SetCookie(w, cookie)
+
+				files[1] = c.WebDir + "/templates/login.html"
+				tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(files...)
+				if err = template.Must(tmpl, err).Execute(w, data); err != nil {
+					log.Println(err)
+					http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+					return
+				}
+				return
+			}
+
+			data.Role = session.User.Role
+			files[1] = c.WebDir + "/templates/hub.html"
+			tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(files...)
+			if err = template.Must(tmpl, err).Execute(w, data); err != nil {
+				log.Println(err)
+				http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+				return
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func ShowHub(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
+	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		session, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s)
+		if err != nil {
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
+			return
+		}
+
+		session.Article = nil
+
+		data := new(struct{ Role int })
+		data.Role = session.User.Role
+
+		tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(c.WebDir + "/templates/hub.html")
+		if err = template.Must(tmpl, err).ExecuteTemplate(w, "page-content", data); err != nil {
+			log.Println(err)
+			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+			return
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/cmd/frontend/images.go b/cmd/frontend/images.go
index 079929c..870b46a 100644
--- a/cmd/frontend/images.go
+++ b/cmd/frontend/images.go
@@ -9,11 +9,10 @@ import (
 	b "streifling.com/jason/cpolis/cmd/backend"
 )
 
-func UploadEasyMDEImage(c *b.Config, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func UploadEasyMDEImage(c *b.Config, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		if _, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+		if _, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -42,11 +41,10 @@ func UploadEasyMDEImage(c *b.Config, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 	}
 }
 
-func UploadImage(c *b.Config, s *b.CookieStore, fileKey, htmlFile, htmlTemplate string) http.HandlerFunc {
+func UploadImage(c *b.Config, s map[string]*Session, fileKey, htmlFile, htmlTemplate string) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		if _, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+		if _, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
diff --git a/cmd/frontend/issues.go b/cmd/frontend/issues.go
index 171ac9d..430e6b9 100644
--- a/cmd/frontend/issues.go
+++ b/cmd/frontend/issues.go
@@ -11,21 +11,14 @@ import (
 	b "streifling.com/jason/cpolis/cmd/backend"
 )
 
-func PublishLatestIssue(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func PublishLatestIssue(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		session, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s)
+		session, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s)
 		if err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
-			return
-		}
-
-		session.Values["article"] = nil
-		if err = session.Save(r, w); err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
+		session.Article = nil
 
 		article := &b.Article{
 			Title:         r.PostFormValue("issue-title"),
@@ -49,14 +42,7 @@ func PublishLatestIssue(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFun
 		}
 
 		authorIDs := make([]int64, 1)
-		var ok bool
-
-		if authorIDs[0], ok = session.Values["id"].(int64); !ok {
-			msg := "fälschlicherweise session.Values[\"id\"].(int64) für authorIDs[0] angenommen"
-			log.Println(msg)
-			http.Error(w, msg, http.StatusInternalServerError)
-			return
-		}
+		authorIDs[0] = session.User.ID
 
 		if err = db.WriteArticleAuthors(article.ID, authorIDs); err != nil {
 			log.Println(err)
@@ -101,15 +87,8 @@ func PublishLatestIssue(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFun
 			return
 		}
 
-		session.Values["issue-image"] = nil
-		if err = session.Save(r, w); err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
-			return
-		}
-
 		data := new(struct{ Role int })
-		data.Role = session.Values["role"].(int)
+		data.Role = session.User.Role
 
 		tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(c.WebDir + "/templates/hub.html")
 		tmpl = template.Must(tmpl, err)
diff --git a/cmd/frontend/pdf.go b/cmd/frontend/pdf.go
index ada1eec..9ee59d6 100644
--- a/cmd/frontend/pdf.go
+++ b/cmd/frontend/pdf.go
@@ -10,11 +10,10 @@ import (
 	b "streifling.com/jason/cpolis/cmd/backend"
 )
 
-func UploadPDF(c *b.Config, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func UploadPDF(c *b.Config, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		if _, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+		if _, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
diff --git a/cmd/frontend/sessions.go b/cmd/frontend/sessions.go
index 788a484..f1ab633 100644
--- a/cmd/frontend/sessions.go
+++ b/cmd/frontend/sessions.go
@@ -1,115 +1,103 @@
 package frontend
 
 import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"html/template"
 	"log"
 	"net/http"
+	"time"
 
+	"github.com/google/uuid"
 	b "streifling.com/jason/cpolis/cmd/backend"
 )
 
-func saveSession(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, s *b.CookieStore, u *b.User) error {
-	session, err := s.Get(r, "cookie")
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("error getting session: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	session.Values["authenticated"] = true
-	session.Values["id"] = u.ID
-	session.Values["name"] = u.FirstName + u.LastName
-	session.Values["role"] = u.Role
-	if err := session.Save(r, w); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("error saving session: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	return nil
+type Session struct {
+	ctx     context.Context
+	cancel  context.CancelFunc
+	cookie  *http.Cookie
+	User    *b.User
+	Article *b.Article
 }
 
-// GetSession is used for verifying that the user is logged in and returns their session and an error.
-func GetSession(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, c *b.Config, s *b.CookieStore) (*b.Session, error) {
-	msg := "Keine gültige Session. Bitte erneut anmelden."
+func newSession(w http.ResponseWriter, c *b.Config, sessionExpiryChan chan<- string, user *b.User) *Session {
+	sessionID := uuid.New().String()
+	expires := time.Now().Add(time.Hour * time.Duration(c.CookieExpiryHours))
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithDeadline(context.Background(), expires)
+
+	session := &Session{
+		ctx:    ctx,
+		cancel: cancel,
+		cookie: &http.Cookie{
+			Name:     "cpolis_session",
+			Value:    sessionID,
+			Expires:  expires,
+			Path:     "/",
+			HttpOnly: true,
+			Secure:   true,
+			SameSite: http.SameSiteStrictMode,
+		},
+		User: user,
+	}
+
+	go func() {
+		<-session.ctx.Done()
+		sessionExpiryChan <- session.cookie.Value
+		session.cookie.Expires = time.Now()
+		http.SetCookie(w, session.cookie)
+	}()
+
+	return session
+}
+
+func StartSessions() (map[string]*Session, chan string) {
+	sessions := make(map[string]*Session)
+	sessionExpiryChan := make(chan string)
+
+	go func() {
+		for sessionID := range sessionExpiryChan {
+			delete(sessions, sessionID)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	return sessions, sessionExpiryChan
+}
+
+// ManageSession is used for verifying that the user is logged in and returns
+// their session and an error. It also handles cases where the user is not
+// logged in.
+func ManageSession(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, c *b.Config, s map[string]*Session) (*Session, error) {
 	tmpl, tmplErr := template.ParseFiles(c.WebDir+"/templates/index.html", c.WebDir+"/templates/login.html")
 
-	tmpSession, err := s.Get(r, "cookie")
+	cookie, err := r.Cookie("session_id")
 	if err != nil {
-		if err = template.Must(tmpl, tmplErr).ExecuteTemplate(w, "page-content", msg); err != nil {
+		if err = template.Must(tmpl, tmplErr).ExecuteTemplate(w, "page-content", nil); err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("error executing template: %v", err)
 		}
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error getting session: %v", err)
+
+		return nil, errors.New("no cookie set")
 	}
 
-	session := &b.Session{Session: *tmpSession}
-	if session.IsNew {
-		if err = template.Must(tmpl, tmplErr).ExecuteTemplate(w, "page-content", msg); err != nil {
+	session, ok := s[cookie.Value]
+	if !ok {
+		cookie.Expires = time.Now()
+		http.SetCookie(w, cookie)
+
+		if err = template.Must(tmpl, tmplErr).ExecuteTemplate(w, "page-content", nil); err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("error executing template: %v", err)
 		}
+
+		return nil, errors.New("session does not exist")
 	}
 
+	session.cookie.Expires = time.Now().Add(time.Hour * time.Duration(c.CookieExpiryHours))
+	http.SetCookie(w, cookie)
+
 	return session, nil
 }
 
-func HomePage(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
-	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		numRows, err := db.CountEntries("users")
-		if err != nil {
-			log.Fatalln(err)
-		}
-
-		data := new(struct {
-			*UserHTMLData
-			Version string
-		})
-		data.UserHTMLData = &UserHTMLData{User: new(b.User)}
-		data.Version = c.Version
-
-		files := make([]string, 2)
-		files[0] = c.WebDir + "/templates/index.html"
-		if numRows == 0 {
-			data.Role = b.NonExistent
-			data.Title = "Erster Benutzer (Administrator)"
-			data.ButtonText = "Anlegen"
-			data.URL = "/user/add-first"
-
-			files[1] = c.WebDir + "/templates/edit-user.html"
-			tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(files...)
-			if err = template.Must(tmpl, err).Execute(w, data); err != nil {
-				log.Println(err)
-				http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
-				return
-			}
-		} else {
-			session, err := s.Get(r, "cookie")
-			if err != nil {
-				log.Println(err)
-				http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
-				return
-			}
-
-			if auth, ok := session.Values["authenticated"].(bool); auth && ok {
-				data.Role = session.Values["role"].(int)
-				files[1] = c.WebDir + "/templates/hub.html"
-				tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(files...)
-				if err = template.Must(tmpl, err).Execute(w, data); err != nil {
-					log.Println(err)
-					http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
-					return
-				}
-			} else {
-				data.Role = b.Author
-				files[1] = c.WebDir + "/templates/login.html"
-				tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(files...)
-				if err = template.Must(tmpl, err).Execute(w, data); err != nil {
-					log.Println(err)
-					http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
-					return
-				}
-			}
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-func Login(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func Login(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session, sessionExpiryChan chan string) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		userName := r.PostFormValue("username")
 		password := r.PostFormValue("password")
@@ -133,11 +121,9 @@ func Login(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 			return
 		}
 
-		if err := saveSession(w, r, s, user); err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
-			return
-		}
+		session := newSession(w, c, sessionExpiryChan, user)
+		s[session.cookie.Value] = session
+		http.SetCookie(w, session.cookie)
 
 		tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(c.WebDir + "/templates/hub.html")
 		if err = template.Must(tmpl, err).ExecuteTemplate(w, "page-content", user); err != nil {
@@ -148,52 +134,32 @@ func Login(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 	}
 }
 
-func Logout(c *b.Config, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func Logout(c *b.Config, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		session, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s)
+		tmpl, tmplErr := template.ParseFiles(c.WebDir + "/templates/login.html")
+
+		cookie, err := r.Cookie("session_id")
 		if err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
-			return
+			if err = template.Must(tmpl, tmplErr).ExecuteTemplate(w, "page-content", nil); err != nil {
+				log.Println(err)
+				http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+				return
+			}
 		}
+		cookie.Expires = time.Now()
+		http.SetCookie(w, cookie)
 
-		session.Options.MaxAge = -1
-		if err = session.Save(r, w); err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
-			return
+		session, ok := s[cookie.Value]
+		if !ok {
+			if err = template.Must(tmpl, tmplErr).ExecuteTemplate(w, "page-content", nil); err != nil {
+				log.Println(err)
+				http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+				return
+			}
 		}
+		session.cancel()
 
-		tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(c.WebDir + "/templates/login.html")
-		if err = template.Must(tmpl, err).ExecuteTemplate(w, "page-content", nil); err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
-			return
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-func ShowHub(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
-	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		session, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s)
-		if err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
-			return
-		}
-
-		session.Values["article"] = nil
-		if err = session.Save(r, w); err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
-			return
-		}
-
-		data := new(struct{ Role int })
-		data.Role = session.Values["role"].(int)
-
-		tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(c.WebDir + "/templates/hub.html")
-		if err = template.Must(tmpl, err).ExecuteTemplate(w, "page-content", data); err != nil {
+		if err = template.Must(tmpl, tmplErr).ExecuteTemplate(w, "page-content", nil); err != nil {
 			log.Println(err)
 			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
 			return
diff --git a/cmd/frontend/tags.go b/cmd/frontend/tags.go
index 290c815..aa2762a 100644
--- a/cmd/frontend/tags.go
+++ b/cmd/frontend/tags.go
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ import (
 	b "streifling.com/jason/cpolis/cmd/backend"
 )
 
-func CreateTag(c *b.Config, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func CreateTag(c *b.Config, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		if _, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+		if _, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -25,12 +24,11 @@ func CreateTag(c *b.Config, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 	}
 }
 
-func AddTag(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func AddTag(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		session, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s)
+		session, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s)
 		if err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -42,7 +40,7 @@ func AddTag(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 		db.AddTag(tag)
 
 		data := new(struct{ Role int })
-		data.Role = session.Values["role"].(int)
+		data.Role = session.User.Role
 
 		tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(c.WebDir + "/templates/hub.html")
 		tmpl = template.Must(tmpl, err)
diff --git a/cmd/frontend/users.go b/cmd/frontend/users.go
index 39447a5..2565989 100644
--- a/cmd/frontend/users.go
+++ b/cmd/frontend/users.go
@@ -43,11 +43,10 @@ func sortUsersByName(users []*b.User) {
 	})
 }
 
-func CreateUser(c *b.Config, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func CreateUser(c *b.Config, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		if _, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+		if _, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -67,12 +66,11 @@ func CreateUser(c *b.Config, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 	}
 }
 
-func AddUser(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func AddUser(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		session, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s)
+		session, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s)
 		if err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -134,7 +132,7 @@ func AddUser(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 		}
 
 		data := new(struct{ Role int })
-		data.Role = session.Values["role"].(int)
+		data.Role = session.User.Role
 
 		tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(c.WebDir + "/templates/hub.html")
 		tmpl = template.Must(tmpl, err)
@@ -146,16 +144,15 @@ func AddUser(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 	}
 }
 
-func EditSelf(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func EditSelf(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		session, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s)
+		session, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s)
 		if err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
-		user, err := db.GetUser(c, session.Values["id"].(int64))
+		user, err := db.GetUser(c, session.User.ID)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Println(err)
 			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
@@ -179,17 +176,16 @@ func EditSelf(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 	}
 }
 
-func UpdateSelf(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func UpdateSelf(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		session, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s)
+		session, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s)
 		if err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
 		user := &b.User{
-			ID:             session.Values["id"].(int64),
+			ID:             session.User.ID,
 			UserName:       r.PostFormValue("username"),
 			FirstName:      r.PostFormValue("first-name"),
 			LastName:       r.PostFormValue("last-name"),
@@ -244,7 +240,7 @@ func UpdateSelf(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 		}
 
 		data := new(struct{ Role int })
-		data.Role = session.Values["role"].(int)
+		data.Role = session.User.Role
 
 		tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(c.WebDir + "/templates/hub.html")
 		tmpl = template.Must(tmpl, err)
@@ -256,7 +252,7 @@ func UpdateSelf(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 	}
 }
 
-func AddFirstUser(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func AddFirstUser(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		var err error
 		user := &b.User{
@@ -303,12 +299,6 @@ func AddFirstUser(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 			return
 		}
 
-		if err := saveSession(w, r, s, user); err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
-			return
-		}
-
 		if _, err := db.AddIssue(); err != nil {
 			log.Println(err)
 			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
@@ -327,12 +317,11 @@ func AddFirstUser(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 	}
 }
 
-func ShowAllUsers(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore, action string) http.HandlerFunc {
+func ShowAllUsers(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session, action string) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		session, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s)
+		session, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s)
 		if err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -348,7 +337,7 @@ func ShowAllUsers(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore, action string) http.H
 			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
 			return
 		}
-		delete(data.Users, session.Values["id"].(int64))
+		delete(data.Users, session.User.ID)
 
 		tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(c.WebDir + "/templates/show-all-users.html")
 		if err = template.Must(tmpl, err).ExecuteTemplate(w, "page-content", data); err != nil {
@@ -359,11 +348,10 @@ func ShowAllUsers(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore, action string) http.H
 	}
 }
 
-func EditUser(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func EditUser(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		if _, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+		if _, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s); err != nil {
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -398,12 +386,11 @@ func EditUser(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 	}
 }
 
-func UpdateUser(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func UpdateUser(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		session, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s)
+		session, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s)
 		if err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -473,7 +460,7 @@ func UpdateUser(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 		}
 
 		data := new(struct{ Role int })
-		data.Role = session.Values["role"].(int)
+		data.Role = session.User.Role
 
 		tmpl := template.Must(template.ParseFiles(c.WebDir + "/templates/hub.html"))
 		if err = tmpl.ExecuteTemplate(w, "page-content", data); err != nil {
@@ -484,12 +471,11 @@ func UpdateUser(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 	}
 }
 
-func DeleteUser(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
+func DeleteUser(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s map[string]*Session) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
-		session, err := GetSession(w, r, c, s)
+		session, err := ManageSession(w, r, c, s)
 		if err != nil {
-			log.Println(err)
-			http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+			http.Error(w, "Die Session ist abgelaufen. Bitte erneut anmelden.", http.StatusUnauthorized)
 			return
 		}
 
@@ -507,7 +493,7 @@ func DeleteUser(c *b.Config, db *b.DB, s *b.CookieStore) http.HandlerFunc {
 		}
 
 		data := new(struct{ Role int })
-		data.Role = session.Values["role"].(int)
+		data.Role = session.User.Role
 
 		tmpl, err := template.ParseFiles(c.WebDir + "/templates/hub.html")
 		tmpl = template.Must(tmpl, err)
diff --git a/cmd/main.go b/cmd/main.go
index c10ae2f..89980f1 100644
--- a/cmd/main.go
+++ b/cmd/main.go
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 package main
 
 import (
-	"encoding/gob"
 	"log"
 	"net/http"
 	"os"
@@ -11,10 +10,6 @@ import (
 	f "streifling.com/jason/cpolis/cmd/frontend"
 )
 
-func init() {
-	gob.Register(b.User{})
-}
-
 func main() {
 	config, err := b.HandleConfig()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -34,68 +29,59 @@ func main() {
 	}
 	defer db.Close()
 
-	key, err := b.LoadKey(config.GOBKeyFile)
-	if err != nil {
-		key, err = b.NewKey()
-		if err != nil {
-			log.Fatalln(err)
-		}
-		if err = b.SaveKey(key, config.GOBKeyFile); err != nil {
-			log.Fatalln(err)
-		}
-	}
-	store := b.NewCookieStore(key)
+	sessions, sessionExpiryChan := f.StartSessions()
+	defer close(sessionExpiryChan)
 
 	mux := http.NewServeMux()
 	mux.Handle("/web/static/", http.StripPrefix("/web/static/",
 		http.FileServer(http.Dir(config.WebDir+"/static/"))))
-	mux.HandleFunc("/", f.HomePage(config, db, store))
+	mux.HandleFunc("/", f.HomePage(config, db, sessions))
 
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/allow-edit/{id}", f.AllowEditArticle(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/all-published/review-edit", f.ShowPublishedArticles(config, db, store, "review-edit"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/all-published/delete", f.ShowPublishedArticles(config, db, store, "review-delete"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/all-rejected", f.ShowRejectedArticles(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/all-unpublished-unrejected-and-published-rejected", f.ShowUnpublishedUnrejectedAndPublishedRejectedArticles(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/delete/{id}", f.DeleteArticle(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/edit/{id}", f.EditArticle(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/publish/{id}", f.PublishArticle(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/reject/{id}", f.RejectArticle(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/review-delete/{id}", f.ReviewArticle(config, db, store, "delete", "Artikel löschen", "Löschen"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/review-edit/{id}", f.ReviewArticle(config, db, store, "allow-edit", "Artikel bearbeiten", "Bearbeiten erlauben"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/review-rejected/{id}", f.ReviewRejectedArticle(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/review-unpublished/{id}", f.ReviewArticle(config, db, store, "publish", "Artikel veröffentlichen", "Veröffentlichen"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/allow-edit/{id}", f.AllowEditArticle(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/all-published/review-edit", f.ShowPublishedArticles(config, db, sessions, "review-edit"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/all-published/delete", f.ShowPublishedArticles(config, db, sessions, "review-delete"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/all-rejected", f.ShowRejectedArticles(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/all-unpublished-unrejected-and-published-rejected", f.ShowUnpublishedUnrejectedAndPublishedRejectedArticles(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/delete/{id}", f.DeleteArticle(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/edit/{id}", f.EditArticle(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/publish/{id}", f.PublishArticle(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/reject/{id}", f.RejectArticle(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/review-delete/{id}", f.ReviewArticle(config, db, sessions, "delete", "Artikel löschen", "Löschen"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/review-edit/{id}", f.ReviewArticle(config, db, sessions, "allow-edit", "Artikel bearbeiten", "Bearbeiten erlauben"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/review-rejected/{id}", f.ReviewRejectedArticle(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/review-unpublished/{id}", f.ReviewArticle(config, db, sessions, "publish", "Artikel veröffentlichen", "Veröffentlichen"))
 	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/serve/{id}", c.ServeArticle(config, db))
 	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/serve/{id}/clicks", c.ServeClicks(db))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/write", f.WriteArticle(config, db, store))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /article/write", f.WriteArticle(config, db, sessions))
 	mux.HandleFunc("GET /atom/serve", c.ServeAtomFeed(config))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /hub", f.ShowHub(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /image/serve/{pic}", c.ServeImage(config, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /issue/this", f.ShowCurrentIssue(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /logout", f.Logout(config, store))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /hub", f.ShowHub(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /image/serve/{pic}", c.ServeImage(config, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /issue/this", f.ShowCurrentIssue(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /logout", f.Logout(config, sessions))
 	mux.HandleFunc("GET /pdf/get-list", c.ServePDFList(config))
 	mux.HandleFunc("GET /pdf/serve/{id}", c.ServePDF(config))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /tag/create", f.CreateTag(config, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /user/create", f.CreateUser(config, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /user/delete/{id}", f.DeleteUser(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /user/edit/{id}", f.EditUser(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /user/edit/self", f.EditSelf(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /user/show-all/delete", f.ShowAllUsers(config, db, store, "delete"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("GET /user/show-all/edit", f.ShowAllUsers(config, db, store, "edit"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /tag/create", f.CreateTag(config, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /user/create", f.CreateUser(config, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /user/delete/{id}", f.DeleteUser(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /user/edit/{id}", f.EditUser(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /user/edit/self", f.EditSelf(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /user/show-all/delete", f.ShowAllUsers(config, db, sessions, "delete"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("GET /user/show-all/edit", f.ShowAllUsers(config, db, sessions, "edit"))
 
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /article/resubmit/{id}", f.ResubmitArticle(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /article/submit", f.SubmitArticle(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /article/upload-banner", f.UploadImage(config, store, "article-banner", "editor.html", "article-banner-template"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /article/upload-image", f.UploadEasyMDEImage(config, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /issue/publish", f.PublishLatestIssue(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /issue/upload-banner", f.UploadImage(config, store, "issue-banner", "current-issue.html", "issue-banner-template"))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /login", f.Login(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /pdf/upload", f.UploadPDF(config, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /tag/add", f.AddTag(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /user/add", f.AddUser(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /user/add-first", f.AddFirstUser(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /user/update/{id}", f.UpdateUser(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /user/update/self", f.UpdateSelf(config, db, store))
-	mux.HandleFunc("POST /user/upload-profile-pic", f.UploadImage(config, store, "upload-profile-pic", "edit-user.html", "profile-pic-template"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /article/resubmit/{id}", f.ResubmitArticle(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /article/submit", f.SubmitArticle(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /article/upload-banner", f.UploadImage(config, sessions, "article-banner", "editor.html", "article-banner-template"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /article/upload-image", f.UploadEasyMDEImage(config, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /issue/publish", f.PublishLatestIssue(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /issue/upload-banner", f.UploadImage(config, sessions, "issue-banner", "current-issue.html", "issue-banner-template"))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /login", f.Login(config, db, sessions, sessionExpiryChan))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /pdf/upload", f.UploadPDF(config, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /tag/add", f.AddTag(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /user/add", f.AddUser(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /user/add-first", f.AddFirstUser(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /user/update/{id}", f.UpdateUser(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /user/update/self", f.UpdateSelf(config, db, sessions))
+	mux.HandleFunc("POST /user/upload-profile-pic", f.UploadImage(config, sessions, "upload-profile-pic", "edit-user.html", "profile-pic-template"))
 
 	log.Fatalln(http.ListenAndServe(config.Port, mux))
 }
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index a59de0f..15a8364 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ require (
 	github.com/disintegration/imaging v1.6.2
 	github.com/go-sql-driver/mysql v1.8.1
 	github.com/google/uuid v1.6.0
-	github.com/gorilla/sessions v1.4.0
 	github.com/microcosm-cc/bluemonday v1.0.27
 	github.com/yuin/goldmark v1.7.8
 	golang.org/x/crypto v0.32.0
@@ -49,7 +48,6 @@ require (
 	github.com/googleapis/enterprise-certificate-proxy v0.3.4 // indirect
 	github.com/googleapis/gax-go/v2 v2.14.1 // indirect
 	github.com/gorilla/css v1.0.1 // indirect
-	github.com/gorilla/securecookie v1.1.2 // indirect
 	github.com/planetscale/vtprotobuf v0.6.1-0.20240319094008-0393e58bdf10 // indirect
 	go.opentelemetry.io/auto/sdk v1.1.0 // indirect
 	go.opentelemetry.io/contrib/detectors/gcp v1.33.0 // indirect
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index 982a1ff..1c91977 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -80,8 +80,6 @@ github.com/golang/protobuf v1.5.4/go.mod h1:lnTiLA8Wa4RWRcIUkrtSVa5nRhsEGBg48fD6
 github.com/google/go-cmp v0.5.5/go.mod h1:v8dTdLbMG2kIc/vJvl+f65V22dbkXbowE6jgT/gNBxE=
 github.com/google/go-cmp v0.6.0 h1:ofyhxvXcZhMsU5ulbFiLKl/XBFqE1GSq7atu8tAmTRI=
 github.com/google/go-cmp v0.6.0/go.mod h1:17dUlkBOakJ0+DkrSSNjCkIjxS6bF9zb3elmeNGIjoY=
-github.com/google/gofuzz v1.2.0 h1:xRy4A+RhZaiKjJ1bPfwQ8sedCA+YS2YcCHW6ec7JMi0=
-github.com/google/gofuzz v1.2.0/go.mod h1:dBl0BpW6vV/+mYPU4Po3pmUjxk6FQPldtuIdl/M65Eg=
 github.com/google/martian/v3 v3.3.3 h1:DIhPTQrbPkgs2yJYdXU/eNACCG5DVQjySNRNlflZ9Fc=
 github.com/google/martian/v3 v3.3.3/go.mod h1:iEPrYcgCF7jA9OtScMFQyAlZZ4YXTKEtJ1E6RWzmBA0=
 github.com/google/s2a-go v0.1.9 h1:LGD7gtMgezd8a/Xak7mEWL0PjoTQFvpRudN895yqKW0=
@@ -94,10 +92,6 @@ github.com/googleapis/gax-go/v2 v2.14.1 h1:hb0FFeiPaQskmvakKu5EbCbpntQn48jyHuvrk
 github.com/googleapis/gax-go/v2 v2.14.1/go.mod h1:Hb/NubMaVM88SrNkvl8X/o8XWwDJEPqouaLeN2IUxoA=
 github.com/gorilla/css v1.0.1 h1:ntNaBIghp6JmvWnxbZKANoLyuXTPZ4cAMlo6RyhlbO8=
 github.com/gorilla/css v1.0.1/go.mod h1:BvnYkspnSzMmwRK+b8/xgNPLiIuNZr6vbZBTPQ2A3b0=
-github.com/gorilla/securecookie v1.1.2 h1:YCIWL56dvtr73r6715mJs5ZvhtnY73hBvEF8kXD8ePA=
-github.com/gorilla/securecookie v1.1.2/go.mod h1:NfCASbcHqRSY+3a8tlWJwsQap2VX5pwzwo4h3eOamfo=
-github.com/gorilla/sessions v1.4.0 h1:kpIYOp/oi6MG/p5PgxApU8srsSw9tuFbt46Lt7auzqQ=
-github.com/gorilla/sessions v1.4.0/go.mod h1:FLWm50oby91+hl7p/wRxDth9bWSuk0qVL2emc7lT5ik=
 github.com/microcosm-cc/bluemonday v1.0.27 h1:MpEUotklkwCSLeH+Qdx1VJgNqLlpY2KXwXFM08ygZfk=
 github.com/microcosm-cc/bluemonday v1.0.27/go.mod h1:jFi9vgW+H7c3V0lb6nR74Ib/DIB5OBs92Dimizgw2cA=
 github.com/planetscale/vtprotobuf v0.6.1-0.20240319094008-0393e58bdf10 h1:GFCKgmp0tecUJ0sJuv4pzYCqS9+RGSn52M3FUwPs+uo=