once for all
>>> in the "free" version, AvastUI connections are there for the "ad" (dynamic content about the promotion of AIS or else...time will tell) ... these connections don't serve the update processes.
>>> in AIS, AvastUI connections are obviously not there to promote AIS
instead they're used for the network utilities, IP geolocation and trace route process.
ps: for the exclamation point on the tray icon, go to main avast settings and un-tick what you want in the "status bar" section.