Windows 7: Notification Icons - can they be hidden?

Is there a way to hide/remove an application icon in the notification area to mask the fact that an app is running? I don't mean the usual option to not show the icon, which is still visible if you click on the "show hidden icons" button. And while we're at it is it possible to prevent a running process from displaying in the task manager? I'm thinking about anti-theft applications like Lojack.

Preventing a running process from displaying in Task Manager....sure...that is called a rootkit.

Well, in that case this would be an example of a rootkit serving a useful purpose.

Like this- WinRAP - Hide Running Programs/Applications In Windows 7/Vista/XP ?

Thanks, I'll have a look at this.

There are many apps for this.
12 Great Programs to Hide Running Windows Application from Your Boss
https://www.google.co.in/search?ix=s...ing+apps+win+7

Thanks, but I don't think these "hide from the boss" programs would be sufficient. I'm wanting to mask the presence of an anti-theft program on a laptop, which (if it was stolen) someone would try to find and disable.

That anti-theft program doesn't have some sort of self-defence mechanism and/or stealth mode?
No any program posted above worked for you?

At the moment this is just research. My Lojack subscription expires in a couple of months and I'm going to replace it with Norton Anti-Theft (NAT). The reviews of the initial release of NAT were critical of it's lack of self-defense, however the program has been "hardened" since then. I won't know until I install it what, if any, additional protection it needs and if one of these programs is going to be helpful.