How can you make your computer's Wi-Fi invisible to other users nearby?

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I don't like it being able to look at my Internet Access panel and see other users within range of my Wi-Fi. If I can see them then, they can also see me. That is not useful information unless one of them or myself want to use my Wi-Fi connection to engage in internet activity rather than using their own. For this and many other reasons I think it is of great importance to become invisible to other users within my Wi-Fi range, but to block their access to mine. There are so many Wi-Fi apps being created that it is no wonder so many of us are getting slow transfer rates when we are thinking, "I paid for this service and I expect the best speed and security that should come with internet security, encryption, password protection." Not. My guess is, not really sure, but a good guess is this ... Internet wireless connections are being made everywhere on the planet but they all think they are protected by passwords and encryption and firewalls. Hmm. Maybe so, but how does this account for the Internet Access panel in Windows letting me know, even though I don't want to know, the user names and signal strength of internet users who are in fact, on line right at this moment. What good is knowing this if I am not planning on ever sharing internet connections with others who are not on my telephone internet bill each month. From what I gather, I paid for an ISP. I pay monthly for a service. They are not paying my internet bill, I am. So, with all the Wi-Fi apps and password apps and other cyber tools out there, it is the worst state of affairs ever. I have no real technical knowledge about how the internet works, but I have some common sense. That said, isn't it basically a concern of yours, that if you can SEE THEM, THEY CAN ALSO SEE YOU? the root of this problem and concern can better be described by looking at the following link below from USA TODAY online: