Sunbelt FW 4.7.4 is the latest, not 4.6. There was beta for 4.7 which went free, so the difference between 4.6 and 4.7 is no paying.
Yes, it's not updated. It doesn't need updating. Perhaps HIPS rules or IDS, but packet filter is a packet filter, internet hasn't changed in years.
What might be happening in the OP might be
1. avast service not allowed out
2. proxy ports not setup correctly
3. in behavior list not allowing avast sandbox to be updated since the path changes often. So if the user isn't there when avast updates, and the firewall asks, no answer means deny.
4. if avast service changed and user not there to permit a changed application, it'll be denied. Zone Alarm and Outpost will behave the same.
bratpack, In years of using Avast and few firewalls, I never had the issue you describe. I too was once blocked from my bank account. Their site must have been hacked, it contained javascript heading out to a russian trojan giving site. Thank you Avast for saving my skin