something that people aren't realizing yet, ANY internet capable device can now be hijacked to help in a ddos attack.
That being said, it's still horrendously easy to get people to click on an ad, and load a Trojan into the computer. And most people leave their machines on all the time now.
This probably was a joint effect of all new and returning people along with slight unpreparedness.

It does feel like the ball was dropped, especially for those who took time off from work to be able to play this weekend.
One of my guild members managed to get into the raubahn instance, only to have the NPCs all target her, and the allies do nothing to help remove agro or damage the foes.
She ran out of mana, and was in tears for most of the rest of the night as she was kicked out and back into que hell.

I would like to think that SE might consider a LITTLE recompensation for those of us who played during said weekend, even those of us who were back at the beginning.